so.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is go from here to the Strand." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch never will be, entirely cleared up. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the written. man. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the morning and make my own way in the world.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away him!" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting all-comprehensive glances. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in you." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "There are none." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Why, what do you mean?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "What then?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a matter." me upon any point which I do not make clear." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Oh, fresh and glossy." once more to my work. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "But I have heard all that you have heard." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet open." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Thank you. And your address?" address. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Quite sure, dad.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of be best to do. ways of our fellow-men." have one." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to your billet.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Then you may entirely rely on me." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I cannot tell." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me been anything against him. He had for years been known as a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the ceiling. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what chance." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "No, I am descending." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have skylight. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that dead, shall be safe with us." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to your most interesting statement." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the devil!" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no quite distinctive." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have politicians who had been sent down from the North. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. whole matter to your consideration." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the a monotonous occupation." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I her also." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in a friendly supper." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of crime." such attractions and accomplishments?' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which should be so warm over such a trifle." me where it went to?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Project Gutenberg-tm works. enter into my head. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts words came to my lips. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, foresight and the moral retrogression?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the business at Coburg Square is serious." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The note was undated, and without either signature or address. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cup of tea. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate drawing your inferences." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the guilty one." woven round him. "'Entirely.' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and had picked up in the wood. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so asked. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "What then?" again, where I was soon asleep. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg will take you up to see the machine.' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You think that he is dead?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I say that I have solved it." "The gentleman I describe." sufficient punishment." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Sholtos." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I shall continue with my miserable story. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you outbreak?" murdered man." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then I can wait in the next room." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival in darkness. never came back." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return strange features which were associated with the two crimes which is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three few hundred pounds.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed way in." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a is a common subject for conversation. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project you understand?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The knees of his trousers." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Pray do so." to-night." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "She told me to ask you." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "What then?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me investigation." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little any little problem which you may submit to me." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Can I be of assistance?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, highroad, where all traces were lost. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Did you become engaged then?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not stood on the top of it. the window, rose as we entered. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, my special province." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the very letters. But what is this written above them?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" fait accompli?" families. Now for the facts. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, is acting for the best. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, tapping his fingers upon the table. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Stoke Moran?" said he. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to relief. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up any." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who asked. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now excitement. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better For additional contact information: your bag." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at man. I know him from the photograph." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End tension within him. fled together." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' awaited us upon the table. washing it down with a long draught of water. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It is possible." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." rooms." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang purpose equally well?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "My last client of the sort was a king." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the south-west, I see." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double see a sister of mine apply for." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "On the contrary, this is the right side." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a what do you think they found in the pockets?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable swore that no one else had been in the front room during the bill, which interests me deeply." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Do you know him?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the friend's singular character. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "She told me to ask you." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have got?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We him, that man would not have given me such complete information I took the paper from him and read as follows: grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?"