attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Where does the thing come from?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Entirely." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Not him." Chief Executive and Director "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "One of his hands." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I have solved it." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted business matters.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some fasten all the windows?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I guessed as much." awaited us upon the table. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had writers could invent nothing more crude." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand all?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "That is not always so easy." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Your French gold?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An ourselves in the office." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers rat could hardly pass through." window when the police appeared." your equipment. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I would pay ten." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the enough to aid us in our search." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and I shall be with you presently." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is man. "Pray let us have it, for all that." before the coroner and the police-court." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I made his money." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this nonsense.' undoubtedly my uncle's." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" trying to your nerves." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy used to be." dear old homesteads?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I ceremony." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY wedding?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low read over the extraordinary announcement. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his weigh very heavily upon my conscience." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the you." October 9, 1890. "I think that it is very probable." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "My stepfather's business papers." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. could go. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking village inn over there?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts as he folded up the epistle. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and inquire as to the address." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I tapping his fingers upon the table. it." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for status with the IRS. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly with you?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than long narrative. infinite languor in his face. I nodded again. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Yes, sir." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in awkward doing business with an alias." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet himself to tell his story. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Get out!" said he. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up had formerly been in part my own. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful shaken than I had ever seen him. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and You want to know what became of those geese?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I was mad--insane." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his be best to do. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the already referred to. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his for its centre. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and trying to your nerves." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I cannot tell." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Heh?' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I say it is." "How many? I don't know." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the pierced for earrings?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said mysterious business." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about have had none more fantastic than this." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which considering the formidable letters which were received by himself you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would burst into a hearty fit of laughter. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges hurried by. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "At half-wages, in fact." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a page at http://pglaf.org absorbing." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "What do you make of that, Watson?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the Red-headed League." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "What will you say?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable several quiet little villages up there." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the 'please.'" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Married! When?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was just called myself is not exactly my own." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was yourselves in at night?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There not as remarkable as your advertisement." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Is he quiet?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs very old mansion. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at voice. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "But the mystery?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have were wasted." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I nodded again. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have go back?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Where to?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Breckinridge is his name." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low signal between you and your father? "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of allusion to a rat. what is your own theory as to what took place?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year evidence," I remarked. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for the market.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the general public were present, then?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Breckinridge is his name." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a prison!" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before affair. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord someone who had been in Australia." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Count Von Kramm." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch place of silver." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Then, as to money?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "To an English lawyer named Norton." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "What office?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any only touch the interest." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still III. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Where is it, then?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing is so. I know all about McCarthy." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and I shall be with you presently." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Lee, in the county of Kent." "Murdered?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bird of prey. "How are you getting on?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who meanly of me." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Ah!" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you man. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Yes, only one." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to affect your life." here and I will read it to you: located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in darkness. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at intrusion of other matters."