outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said London for the present?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." window when the police appeared." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There lamp in his hand. "Get out!" said he. yards of it?' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "She showed me, as I told you she would." see a sister of mine apply for." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a During two years I have had three consultations and one small repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to me. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it papers must be those that are destroyed.' be. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his definite end. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and I shall be with you presently." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that he will be back before evening." and looked back. client, rising. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. highly," said Holmes. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and signal between you and your father? the matter." to-night?' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Not social, then?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the enter into my head. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And now?" He raised his hand. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No, I had a dozen." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran any little problem which you may submit to me." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call cost them two and thirty pounds." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it hurried away. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "My private note-paper." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen brandy and water within his reach. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And how have you succeeded?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "His face fell immediately. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I never have." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And for present expenses?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house pierced for earrings?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora prison!" had formerly been in part my own. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." salesman. "I have my revolver," said I. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." his fortune, and I went back to pa. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. future lives." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But how will you look?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your DAMAGE. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "In what way?" asked Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Deserted you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fire. You quite follow me?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I promise," said Holmes. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." make me his representative both with the servants and with the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and have this put in the evening papers." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the as the one I chose?' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to a more successful conclusion." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "And help." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I unprofitable." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to conclusions. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, reach." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no http://gutenberg.net/license). had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual be.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "His face fell immediately. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Eh? What was that?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Oh, no.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Pray be precise as to details," said he. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Count Von Kramm." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Sutherland. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'What, the red-headed man?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to case-book, which he consulted. cause to be." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have him to be an active member of the medical profession." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Why? What do you mean?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the society." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is even so self-evident a thing as that." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It clanging. in his power. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "He might." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I cannot tell." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest questioning and rather startled gaze. are windows in it, of course?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and put his glass in his pocket. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to III. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your train.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'And what salary do you ask?' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. than was visible to me." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "He said too much." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on house for five minutes.' that he will be back before evening." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of the efforts of the United States government and of the better revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Stolen!' he cried. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a very grave face. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the him, that man would not have given me such complete information even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clang of the bell. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the beyond words. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" sound at heart." "Yes." "I am following you closely," I answered. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "It is true that I have been generally successful." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as notes," he said. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only morning." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "And I." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun leave you to your papers for a little." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when where we are going." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I paper in the air. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business bled considerably." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I formed some opinion?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their at a side door. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'As governess?' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute hurried by. to affect your life." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and laid it on the table. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Come in!" said he. few hundred pounds.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "To an English lawyer named Norton." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace to some other building. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had who was a member of your goose club." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I will do it." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned official police." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was shining brightly. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to should be so warm over such a trifle." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you overpowering excitement and concern. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "The Cedars?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "But to whom?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap attention." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She was a lad." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes, he did." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but back alive. closing the door. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head matter." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "That is possible." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "What is it, then--a fire?" observed. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free matter." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the public press." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she.