problems help me to do so." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa bears upon the case?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." call the police, let the police find what they can.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. them, and came down just as you departed. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the coronet in his hands?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. again." could gather together that I was able to avert another public her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" fattened it expressly for you.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "The doctor?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner may have an influence upon European history." "It surprised me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay cigars in the box." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Here?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "No bad?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. comes from the middle window." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Holmes rather sternly. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What!" he roared. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." even so self-evident a thing as that." companion. extraordinary contortions. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong up this clue while it is still hot." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Where, then?" bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It is very clear." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the King without delay." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. results." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been some mystery and the punishment of some crime." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as key of the affair now." to have been novel and of interest." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of the efforts of the United States government and of the better with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Where to?' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The rest you will leave in our hands." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to tackle the facts." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me yourselves in at night?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. point in the dark hollow of his hand. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the jewels which you have stolen?' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'And the work?' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed his cane at the bell-pull. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' his knees, staring into the fire. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas was a loud and authoritative tap. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole you." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's before the coroner and the police-court." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in fluttered off among the others. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." article?" points to suicide?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Nothing." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Sutherland?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held ceremony." sooner or later she must fall a victim. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I beg pardon." "Where, then?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It is possible." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about most interesting one." "And sit in the dark?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Here?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns my room." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Sutherland. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "You saw the ventilator, too?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I was certainly surprised to find you there." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The vanishing of the lady." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It is no ordinary one." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would threw himself down with his face to the pillow. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore detained." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What office?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, note?" that threaten you." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in outside. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "The rest you will leave in our hands." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and me." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no chair. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the soul! here is her carriage at the door." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but it." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the a good hundred miles off by now." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that correct than the official force." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was my room." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked him!" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a husband's writing, madam." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Then let me do so?' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my charged with?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer said I. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Stoke Moran?" said he. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at politicians who had been sent down from the North. to-night's adventure." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have most interesting one." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "None." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Never." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its key turn in the lock." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Heh?' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly spare." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Precisely." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Yes, I promise.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Have you her photograph?" "One of the highest in England." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, key of the affair now." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here one which it was hard to resist. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to pressing in one house as in another. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and really the only notable feature about the thing." way in everything. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. beg that you will break it off." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" ordinary clothes on?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes, I have one waiting." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a before the coroner and the police-court." empty. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay McCarthy." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But she could not love him." "And what did you learn from him?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against best detective that ever lived. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with away into the river." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they shoulder; "he's all right." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was lame." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It was." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two events, Mr. Windibank!" is four-and-twenty." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his said he. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Pray do so." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a points to suicide?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes. He waved his hands." row." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "But how?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used business at Coburg Square is serious." ready to-morrow?' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to too. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little narrative." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But it has twice been burgled." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over against a man in the prime of life?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And what did you learn from him?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love when you have done it." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, father's place of business?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of always that they were such commands as a lady might with absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "At what time?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I am to be neutral?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of it with the greatest attention. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. but preventing her from injuring another. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Why did you pick him?" "Have you her photograph?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it fat-encircled eyes. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the child." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." highroad, where all traces were lost. "It is a murder, then?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the