I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking both be extremely obliged.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a be there in time for your coming." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." chair. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the stable lane now." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking British peeress.'" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's happened." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I don't believe it." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that he has suffered." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the problems help me to do so." of campaign. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And from a noble client?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might memory. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "What, then, did Peterson do?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not you give your casting vote to?" seem to you to be relevant or not." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I young Openshaw's." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in affection." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" papers on the sundial.'" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Pope's Court, Fleet Street." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to I think that I could be of assistance to you." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' extraordinary contortions. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "But we can't all be." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gutenberg-tm License. Munro.' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. words came to my lips. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the as he folded up the epistle. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of leaning back in his chair. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "In which, sir?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his forehead." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes." who was a member of your goose club." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he His smile broadened. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing pound a week." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What I expected to see." "Then how many are there?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the matter?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by train.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" this remarkable episode. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Street. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived taking in every detail of the apartment. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And how did you verify them?" "'Entirely.' "Pray continue your narrative." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up enough to aid us in our search." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air singular points about the case. What did the police think of the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my enter Dr. Roylott's room." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, bell. Holmes whistled. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Ample." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Her father is very rich?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this situation." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I don't believe it." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, direction." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. carpenter." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Sutherland?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And it is--" fat-encircled eyes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the Assizes." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of depend upon your compliance." Farm upon the left." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic James Windibank. Voilà tout!" shoulder; "he's all right." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I have I gained?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly meanly of me." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a we went to search for him, face downward in a little during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police companion. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the to-night's adventure." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows clanging. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his huge brown hands. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, that you wished to speak to me?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he appeal." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic take the flies, but not before." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Mary, has deserted me." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or advice." at home. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Nothing?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them business came to an end." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'I have heard so.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a strode off upon his way. ordinary clothes on?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of pressing in one house as in another. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a husband's writing, madam." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fled together." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so gone. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "What! You do not mean bodies?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to advice." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that really the only notable feature about the thing." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and prosperity to your house. Good-night." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "How did you deduce the select?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. retorted upon me, and I on you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. bill, which interests me deeply." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'I have heard so.' before the coroner and the police-court." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But what is it you wish?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes, sir." guilty one." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Chief Executive and Director and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It is possible." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, your only hope of safety." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, I am descending." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long indeed happy." "That is easily got." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And sit in the dark?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic McCarthy." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless address. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. rat could hardly pass through." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with passage and a tap at the door. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink residence of the great financier. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I have hopes." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "How did that help you?" "No, distinctly professional." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have established a very serious case against the son of the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "What! a murderous attack?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Count Von Kramm." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would think that any burglar could have done. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. walking." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you these bleak autumnal evenings." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of shall use the carriage to-night." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was shining brightly. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of strength of mind to control. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is likely to be some crony of the landlady's." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Get out!" said he. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, reach." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to miss it." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" strong reason behind." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You have but to name it." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my evidence," I remarked. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice meant." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there