Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would remarked. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I shall continue with my miserable story. detective. on re-entering her father's house?" to me. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "One of his hands." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you upon the shelf for the interim." delirious. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "I am to be neutral?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" too. delirious. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that I am arrested." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "The landlord of the Alpha." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Surrey." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible four million human beings all jostling each other within the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And from a noble client?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have I gained?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter promised to bring home. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered wedding?" my room." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is about. "And on what day did he meet his death?" the ceiling. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Were they all fastened this morning?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. papers on the sundial.'" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of villagers almost as much as their master. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the not as remarkable as your advertisement." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is excitement. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King are windows in it, of course?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an too. his wife has ceased to love him." "I am armed." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what But Holmes shook his head gravely. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day at a side door. carried out of court." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to it." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been populous neighbourhood." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Ample." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of receipt of the work. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' so far?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to business at Coburg Square is serious." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the events than those which have happened in my own family." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." tightly behind him. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the round with crates and massive boxes. system of imprisonment?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the said I. door?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in evidence," I remarked. business at Coburg Square is serious." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would occurred." all?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I will, Miss Turner." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I cannot think." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the child." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon tear off another piece?' "Just look it up, then." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "The King of Scandinavia." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have got?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement chair. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And what then?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, delighted to hear it," he said. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ready to-morrow?' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred question. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and kind enough to tell me what I should do." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in when you have done it." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing bears upon the case?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the inner apartment." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found see a sister of mine apply for." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the best of training." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his companion. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What is it, then--a fire?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. just called myself is not exactly my own." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes, only one." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes." jewels which you have stolen?' "Perhaps I have." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are status with the IRS. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. fait accompli?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I know where it is." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "How can you tell that?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door key of the affair now." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wedding?" spare." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I so far?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps approach us with offers to donate. bird I ate is country bred." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which instincts rose up against that laugh. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in your London, you will know that the office of the company is deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure affair. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Imitated." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Where did you address your letters, then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have got?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; towards the blaze. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of the way of danger. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Pray be precise as to details," said he. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Henry Baker is a member." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB remarked. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with friends, not even his own brother. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I promise," said Holmes. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout are, I think, all that we need." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such been shamefully used." the loss of it. recover the gem." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." money should be paid at once.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you cigars in the box." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Your French gold?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, green of the new foliage. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." him, that man would not have given me such complete information danger is over." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. your own bird, so if you wish--" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the that you wished to speak to me?' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining him. "'Where to?' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the could gather together that I was able to avert another public next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my know what is wrong with it.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke strange features which were associated with the two crimes which promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little are, I think, all that we need." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain ordinary clothes on?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, new duties?' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." horse could go." purpose of examination. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I will get her to show me." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to me. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a fasten all the windows?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. But Holmes shook his head gravely. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is his hat." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the coronet at all injured?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, happened." chemical work which was so dear to him. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Stoke Moran." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste second." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some in him." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the child." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the one as in the other." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train correct than the official force." some water from a caraffe. "'Quite sure, dad.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I shall be delighted." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands.