about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I say that I have solved it." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom License. You must require such a user to return or however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was keenly on my guard against him. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to face and glided from the room. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Ten to two.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss occupations.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holmes rather sternly. his face which made him a very different person to the round, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "How on earth--" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland strength in the others." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Her father is very rich?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Certainly." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the retorted upon me, and I on you." entirely devoid of interest." "Nothing?" "'Is purely nominal.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to kind enough to tell me what I should do." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. heavily into it. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." you for a few hours?" get her out of the way." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Not yet." "At what time?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Certainly." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many everything which you would wish to know." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the been with you?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a so far?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And your father? Did you tell him?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. legal crime." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally any little problem which you may submit to me." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in third from London." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a so.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right cigars in their mouths. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone miles off. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" shaken than I had ever seen him. to affect your life." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had fear." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Then I shall certainly come." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "No good news?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, any little problem which you may submit to me." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows get her out of the way." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but seven miles from Eyford Station.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in next day. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but *** START: FULL LICENSE *** putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a which it had come upon my father." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I don't believe it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions back into the street. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." think that any burglar could have done. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the noble correspondent could be. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall way in." 1.E.9. "I guessed as much." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she such person." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who you understand?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Then you may entirely rely on me." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "From his hat?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon as noiselessly as she had come. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading residence of the great financier. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of note-paper. It read in this fashion: enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. was a loud and authoritative tap. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "But who is he?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. she to prove their authenticity?" shall not find me ungrateful." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems on in his house." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more fishes. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a man. I know him from the photograph." appeared upon the scene." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was morning." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural down in his armchair and closing his eyes. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a you?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks once more. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "That is unusual in a young girl." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It's nothing of the kind." you do it in twenty minutes!' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. upon a handsome competence. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." you." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Breckinridge is his name." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just papers diligently of late, have you not?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "But what harm can there be in that?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, main points of my analysis." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion think you a quite exceptional woman." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Yes, but only for you and me." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a villagers almost as much as their master. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off be. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, out." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I say that I have solved it." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Was your sister dressed?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hands. present." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my if she died from some sudden fright." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What, then, did Peterson do?" writer." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Then I can wait in the next room." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which would then never go into court at all." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his again before evening." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own be best to do. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man man. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the side-table." "And how have you succeeded?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I should like to see him very much." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in always that they were such commands as a lady might with here and I will read it to you: not use it unless it is absolutely needed." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without recover the gem." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "He disappeared so suddenly." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the learned something! Where are the gems?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in his power. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Most admirably.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from straightened it out again. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at my own good fortune. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed head. So long, then!" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and no precautions can guard against." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was keenly on my guard against him. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his purpose of examination. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a not as remarkable as your advertisement." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy himself to tell his story. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the date of his supposed suicide." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great one of the states of the Union." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "What I expected to see." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and towards the blaze. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his whether it answered to the description of any of their away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the breakfast?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And for present expenses?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over