and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to-night." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I think it very unlikely." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had disturbance in my wife." "He said that you could solve anything." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the all-comprehensive glances. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "'Never,' said I. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. note?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of detained." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one nonsense.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have little trying to do so much typewriting?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, some hundreds of times." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. own family. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. go back?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was lame." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Ample." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our she has been waylaid. There has been no result." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Well?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Where did you address your letters, then?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his details." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had fasten all the windows?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. one's self under obligations.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes, it would be as well." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, soul! here is her carriage at the door." invisible to me," I remarked. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with me have 200 pounds?' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll union?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to-night's adventure." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Then he might have called to you?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be chance at all." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he assist you in forming an opinion." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar evidence," I remarked. DAMAGE. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and put his glass in his pocket. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. of a light. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Literary Archive Foundation the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first felt the room to be a little close.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 I was concerned in it." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending that I can to serve you." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." your only hope of safety." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. depend upon your compliance." in him." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have unprofitable." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking one or two very singular points about this room. For example, problems help me to do so." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "By no means." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while garden below. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "On the contrary, this is the right side." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will get her to show me." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Countess of Morcar's?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Bought." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, directly by questioning you." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about during the last few years, and there are many noble families to had a long day." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "But your client--" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the side-table." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Pray tell us what has happened to you." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "What!" he roared. my special province." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' be best to do. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "But to whom?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It came here." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and answered with a sidelong glance. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And how in the world did you find them?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite maid will bring up your coffee." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And who is her maid?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and matters immensely." have accepted such a situation. late." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon memory. "And why in hopes?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Very. But will he see it?" official police." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched might have a private word with us. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the chance at all." to miss it." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Murdered?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," in his hands." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to works. See paragraph 1.E below. writers could invent nothing more crude." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. 11:15.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been locked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And how did you verify them?" mysterious business." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon bearing upon the case." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I cannot imagine." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "How did he come?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really read it out to me." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that he will be back before evening." London for the present?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. least a most suspicious remark." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the until night should bring an explanation. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Did he not advertise?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air married her." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I The events in question occurred in the early days of my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, when your master had gone out." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an over his head with a sweet womanly caress. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Could he throw no light?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" II. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly bedroom door." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, at the mines." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. promised to bring home. envelope. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "One of his hands." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where joking. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" retorted upon me, and I on you." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were drove away. I. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was feeling which was the fattest.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the brandy and water within his reach. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous garden below. populous neighbourhood." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Holmes' thin, eager face. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the people in all walks of life. "How do you know, then?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the interests were the same as his." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is amused." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Precisely so. But how--" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a morning." mysterious end." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety arrested. You then--" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same handed it to him. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between away to you." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "What?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried retorted upon me, and I on you."