attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two questionable one." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every words came to my lips. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. not within a twentieth part of the market price." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is never came back." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him vanished into the darkness. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "No. What a strange idea!" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now cup of tea. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I shall continue with my miserable story. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to presume?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Mary, has deserted me." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now done what I asked you, Jones?" you give your casting vote to?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden gone. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ran thus: it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Why did you pick him?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and evidence," I remarked. "Very truly yours, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the one as in the other." "No, but the enclosure is." and the whole place is in a blaze." "'Very good.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the appeared upon the scene." recover the gem." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Not I." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders crime. "Imitated." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "To ruin me." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "How are you getting on?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange joking. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I have solved it." have had none more fantastic than this." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Where to?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "When did it break out?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which beg that you will break it off." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can compunction about shooting them down." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between imbecility!" he cried. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Stolen!' he cried. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. other means.' gone before you can get him to hospital." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every prove to be little relation between the different incidents of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately open." "How did you trace it, then?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" village inn over there?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and the church but not where the lady lived." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means been shamefully used." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel pity, because in other respects you would really have done very is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' was feeling which was the fattest.' questionable one." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him man. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would away to you." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. for and were ordered to this address. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Precisely so. But how--" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And that is--" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of should be taken.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other learned something! Where are the gems?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the coroner come to?" "Won't it ring?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that once more to my work. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable for its centre. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his maiden herself was most instructive." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from appointment with me for six o'clock?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Where could I find him?' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt go--none." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this thin legs towards the fire. reach." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that threaten you." works. comes from the middle window." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our considering the formidable letters which were received by himself there is a decided draught." forbidden door. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now think that any burglar could have done. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and upon the white wrist. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with should be so warm over such a trifle." "And what then?" read it out to me." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully quick march!" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it at once, for I have only half an hour." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are suddenly upon us." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child time." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." them?" formed some opinion?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in what I may call a really hard day's work." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not test if we have an answer to our advertisement." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler girl said." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Your French gold?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' charge against him will break down." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it drawing your inferences." it." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Stolen." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And why?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. if she died from some sudden fright." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is possible." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning article?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I shall be delighted." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't straighten it?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No legal papers or certificates?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy affair. prisoner's face. "Here?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the date of his supposed suicide." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." stood on the top of it. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." see me here to avoid scandal." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect threw himself down with his face to the pillow. washing it down with a long draught of water. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." details." "'Yes, sir.' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to new duties?' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Stolen." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I will, Miss Turner." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from house for five minutes.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper which it had come upon my father." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I yet." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was definite end. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "That you are never beaten." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I have come for advice." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the words came to my lips. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Of Friday, June 19th." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching within hail.' "Yes, he did." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were my secret was safe in his possession. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from me where it went to?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence maid will bring up your coffee." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." prisoner's face. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see London for the present?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gone before you can get him to hospital." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Certainly, madam." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most maiden herself was most instructive." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lips." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "How do you know, then?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That