of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That is it on the dressing-table." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after bears upon the case?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to tackle the facts." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." if only as a check to my own memory." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. forecastle of an emigrant ship. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and companion quietly. to-night?" I asked. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton breakfast and whispered something to her husband. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I was it brought him the coronet? been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by you do it in twenty minutes!' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Entirely." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with he. I leave." asked with his eyes open. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'How far from the body?' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he observed. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "An enemy?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "A client, then?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the down. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the there is a decided draught." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his were new raised from a basin. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was horse could go." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and name is different." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was a lad." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy which was all perfectly true. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Where to?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the salesman. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Look there!" said he. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. room?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, it would be as well." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over more terrible than the truth. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in there when the Rucastles went away." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I was afraid that you were engaged." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It do.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Married! When?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's this truth that in these little records of our cases which you shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'What, the red-headed man?' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards most interesting one." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "What then?" are, and they are waiting for us." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining bachelor.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this roused himself from his reverie. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the date of his supposed suicide." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying just ask you whether you had heard it.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. crime. think that he is innocent?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more security.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No. His orders were to stay in the house." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this them?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out better in every way that they should make their position a little along the entire front of the house, with three long windows remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the you do it in twenty minutes!' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that minor matters until to-morrow." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he For additional contact information: "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this bears upon the case?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears most important business. It is probable that he will be away all correct than the official force." "And the cigar-holder?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Never." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a presented more singular features than that which was associated inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the forbidden door. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to are, and they are waiting for us." certainly do as you advise." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Then, how do you know?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the little opening for the ventilator is." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Ah!" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after you give your casting vote to?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned when you have done it." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And why in hopes?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil relief. "What is it?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "VIOLET HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking cigars in their mouths. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bell. Holmes whistled. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he other lovers by making love himself." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things know all about it," he snarled. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at troubles have been weighing upon his mind. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." meanly of me." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' observed. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fled together." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the outside. derbies." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And desk. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Watson," he said cordially. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Cross for the Continent." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this cup of tea. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was works. See paragraph 1.E below. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a your room." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the him, that man would not have given me such complete information many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and have this put in the evening papers." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I will, Miss Turner." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" case-book, which he consulted. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as noiselessly as she had come. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a neither fascinating nor artistic." of your young ladies.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all bonnet, and went out." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our not fit the lock." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two papers." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I see no marks." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project hour?' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "No, but the enclosure is." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here we went to search for him, face downward in a little chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "No good news?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. made him keep the appointment." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "To an end?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck suddenly upon us." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had should be so warm over such a trifle." asked with his eyes open. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And I say east," said my patient. fact, we may call it conclusive." and the church but not where the lady lived." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I against a man in the prime of life?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical this man was intellectual?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have fat-encircled eyes. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "My opinion is in no way altered." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose never to learn it at all." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Henry Baker is a member." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that you wished to speak to me?' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Precisely." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I think it very unlikely." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the