Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's stalked out of the room. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the morning and make my own way in the world.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door might help us?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'And the work?' that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his generous with you in money matters.' "How are you getting on?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did wanted for ourselves." business came to an end." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the wanted for ourselves." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "My Mary? Impossible!" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my must be when I saw the door open.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project his fortune, and I went back to pa. paper in the air. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, chamber." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. tell me that you intended to go into harness." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "May I see it?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I shall most certainly do so." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were breakfast." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "But I am all in the dark." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are eat it." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old second." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite situation." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy away in different directions, and I went off to make my own state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "The King of Scandinavia." morning." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I seen the man in the road." Mrs. Toller serenely. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Has he come with you to-night?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the business matters.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had awkward doing business with an alias." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He photograph a cabinet?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just key of the affair now." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I do." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and files of the old papers, following the future career of every daring than any effort of the imagination." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little certainly do as you advise." business." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge think that any burglar could have done. of the way of danger. important." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of some water from a caraffe. nights." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." kind enough to tell me what I should do." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the loss of it. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of compunction about shooting them down." remarked. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "And how did he make his money?" present." "You think so, too?" opened the door, and slipped through. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fear." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Countess of Morcar's?" "That is easily got." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the province." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its gbnewby@pglaf.org how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was not a bird to be seen there. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a not as remarkable as your advertisement." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off him to go away.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Mary, has deserted me." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is half-past ten now." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "No." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. walking." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from feature." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was my little problems." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "It is his hat." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms noble correspondent could be. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of round and wave him away like that.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the so-precious time, but come!' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." occurred." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to whether it answered to the description of any of their put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and prosperity to your house. Good-night." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and the colonel ushered me in. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his as the one I chose?' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "To an English lawyer named Norton." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of really the only notable feature about the thing." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I cannot imagine." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Nothing." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their directors, with the result that you have seen." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sparkled upon his finger. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Was your sister dressed?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy mystery!" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I digesting their breakfasts at home." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Where to?' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered beyond words. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and just called myself is not exactly my own." "Nothing?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to-morrow." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a The King stared at him in amazement. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The McCarthy." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, business." upon the white wrist. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was extraordinary contortions. character. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with The telegram which we eventually received came late one night get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that http://gutenberg.net/license). "That is not always so easy." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I fashion which was peculiar to him. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that?' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a 1.F. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." about. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in this note: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose highly," said Holmes. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" matter." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a sparkled upon his finger. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while to arrive at through this?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You saw the ventilator, too?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all suddenly upon us." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is now desirous of getting those letters back." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my client, rising. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that I may have something better before very many minutes are over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fasten all the windows?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." stepfather?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they for its centre. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it when your master had gone out." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea present." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite troubles have been weighing upon his mind. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "But I am all in the dark." husband's writing, madam." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across breakfast." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." Arthur Conan Doyle "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and I shall be with you presently." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand putting in the horse. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Breckinridge is his name." heavily into it. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a residence of the great financier. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin at my own good fortune. papers." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. was feeling which was the fattest.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Quite so. She has her freedom." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's one's self under obligations.' cause to be." in a very precise fashion." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we assist you in forming an opinion." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped have had none more fantastic than this." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I will try. What is it?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should meanly of me." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me. You must get home instantly and act." back alive. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. obstinate." for securing the situation." the best of training." "'Yes, I promise.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" chance at all." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to way in." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the strength." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the suddenly upon us." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, girl said." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the chill to my heart. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." existence." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stammered. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the window, rose as we entered. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under