police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Because he was handy and would come cheap." three of the beryls in it, was missing. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got forebodings. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold door?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Upon what point?" sneer upon his pale face. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, not come at once?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, furiously. again, where I was soon asleep. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there!' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, presume?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the running down." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Yes, sir.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had be.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I have a cab outside." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and no precautions can guard against." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in who was a member of your goose club." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to maiden herself was most instructive." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, himself. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'What then?' I asked. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so definite end. "Well, it is a possible supposition." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When writer." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I shall most certainly do so." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that threaten you." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely golden eyeglasses. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I am following you closely," I answered. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with six. Come in!" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I shall continue with my miserable story. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It looks newer than the other things?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Again Holmes raved in the air. "The Cedars?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or that there was nothing in it, after all." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, carriage. It was a chestnut." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the coronet in his hands?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that a monotonous occupation." foresight and the moral retrogression?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'What then?' I asked. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's highroad, where all traces were lost. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was purpose equally well?" "It looks newer than the other things?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I our word." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I hurried away. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about despair." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. over here." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You will not go there first?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious was keenly on my guard against him. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and glanced through. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Mary, has deserted me." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Not in a good cause." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands bird of prey. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left remarked. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Sutherland?" "Murdered?" outside." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Certainly,' I answered. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "None." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one man. I know him from the photograph." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of round with crates and massive boxes. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the detective. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Dirty?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to tell." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked where she found matters as described by the last witness. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "None. Neville wrote those words." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy voice, changing her seat as requested. shall not find me ungrateful." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with me." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious During two years I have had three consultations and one small "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Awake, Watson?" he asked. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, were new raised from a basin. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to-night?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "One?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and few hundred pounds.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned woven round him. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Precisely." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked their singular warning or token before them when starting upon sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Why, what do you mean?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And how did you verify them?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I him to be an active member of the medical profession." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter than to us. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "No sign of it?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It's nothing of the kind." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in his power. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dear old homesteads?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Texas, I think." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Stoke Moran." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at danger is over." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who bedroom door." "Very. But will he see it?" papers on the sundial.'" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the bottom.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Do you go out much in society?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting such attractions and accomplishments?' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Then the page we have seen--" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided key turn in the lock." your room." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the little opening for the ventilator is." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land showing my impatience. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. her also." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite status with the IRS. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Was she in good spirits?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several know what is wrong with it.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, plantation.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I shall be delighted." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. then?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running this Miss Turner." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, with you?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I chill to my heart. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I signal between you and your father? one's self under obligations.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "That you are never beaten." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, had this final quarrel? granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'What then?' I asked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." success. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Deserted you?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was said I. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his The events in question occurred in the early days of my lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent colonel looking down at me. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid strength." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Young McCarthy must be got off, however." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the