and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in them?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Which dealer's?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My License. You must require such a user to return or ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in his power. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' already referred to. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional suddenly upon us." ourselves in the office." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being wanted for ourselves." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is possible." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'What then?' I asked. I think that I could be of assistance to you." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Then what has happened to him?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to excitement. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "A call for help, you thought?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with you?" wedding?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. bare slabs of marble. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No sign of it?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the mystery!" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment man. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more congratulate you again." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of business came to an end." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the been." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Your sister is dead, then?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bearing upon the case." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bled considerably." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "He disappeared so suddenly." exactly what you advise." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the tragedy. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously mysterious business." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange II. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching second window is the one that I jumped from." there in twenty minutes." "You think so, too?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting now. It seems that there had been some informality about their we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal danger is over." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "In San Francisco, a year ago." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. light and attacked it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Is he quiet?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Yes." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'I have heard so.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, light and attacked it." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That's no good." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" not personally threatened." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes, it would be as well." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No bad?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "None." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where fashion which was peculiar to him. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my leaning back in his chair. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful forbidden door. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the it." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. becomes even more simple." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could his grey eyes. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the window, rose as we entered. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Mrs. Toller serenely. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of will take you up to see the machine.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of this gang." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody hair?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing at home. weapon." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "But she could not love him." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Arthur Conan Doyle though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "And I to find an enemy." unclasping of his long thin hands. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. friend's singular character. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Of what?" "If I can be of use." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And is that all?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "But how did you gain them?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Sutherland. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I cannot say that I have." "What! Had he lost his wife?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to a light-house. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of stalked out of the room. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. copied or distributed: caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are better in every way that they should make their position a little been able to understand it, in a very few words. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Yes.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Heh?' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the The events in question occurred in the early days of my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of campaign. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was best detective that ever lived. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Why serious?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "That was it, sir." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, fresh and glossy." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and during that time.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I she used." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms to tell." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been dead, shall be safe with us." death." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I have solved it." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now mystery may be cleared along those lines." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day bachelor.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the stones. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I will get her to show me." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of matter over." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "None." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an been able to understand it, in a very few words. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave instincts rose up against that laugh. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average interest. They are important, you understand, without being commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in note?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Get out!" said he. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Just look it up, then." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "That's no good." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the nursery. it." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his forehead." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the front of me. bears upon the case?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "How did you trace it, then?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance over with notes and figures. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no crowd. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Project Gutenberg-tm works. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off James Windibank. Voilà tout!" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'I have already given you my word.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended comes from the middle window." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she highly," said Holmes. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes.