From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "He said that you could solve anything." time." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Entirely.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving events than those which have happened in my own family." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Do you go out much in society?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Eyford." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, finished." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Eh? What was that?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "On the contrary, this is the right side." out of this horrible affair." once more for Briony Lodge. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Mrs. Toller serenely. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I am following you closely," I answered. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could train.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "One of the highest in England." "I fear not." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "And how did he make his money?" friends, not even his own brother. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. be sorry for having acted so harshly." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What is it?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and on re-entering her father's house?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. served to weaken the effect. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Then let me do so?' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the Assizes." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to your sleep?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One was already answered. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my tell him that I know him to be innocent." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in this way: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Nothing." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" be. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "What have you to say now?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out peculiar to him. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon entirely lost his self-respect." "'Which dealer's?' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in over with notes and figures. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door My friend smiled. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress if she died from some sudden fright." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there!' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And you thought he was pulled back?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the coronet in his hands?" have been better. It is all right." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord telegram would bring me down to your help." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "What can you not understand?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." again." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Come in!" said he. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She place of silver." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird read over the extraordinary announcement. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he fatally injured? over part of the map. "What do you read?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "And sit in the dark?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I cannot tell." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Gutenberg-tm License. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at sparkled upon his finger. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I should be immensely obliged to you." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully during the last few years, and there are many noble families to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, golden eyeglasses. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bachelor.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And the cigar-holder?" floor. points to suicide?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? business matters.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It is possible." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was matter." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and laid it on the table. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' late!' was shining brightly. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of look upon these things in a different way." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with get her out of the way." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "He might." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take said he at last. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my again." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. writer." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who companion. assist you in forming an opinion." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "By no means." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of ashen face. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to present." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which it had come upon my father." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Nothing." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a night.' said he. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have not had my rubber." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "My own seal." "'I am sure that I do not know.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. your most interesting statement." What do you deduce from it?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Then how many are there?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "None." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you me have 200 pounds?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "An enemy?" directors, with the result that you have seen." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "How are you getting on?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "He might." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "No sign of it?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Pray do so." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. salesman. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position approach us with offers to donate. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "One?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Pray continue your narrative." "An enemy?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her himself in a perplexing position. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir chamber." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious himself in a perplexing position. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come down in his armchair and closing his eyes. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence which should have the effect of calling the attention of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common passage and a tap at the door. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, keep the flames under. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sufficient punishment." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country once more on the important position which you have been fortunate with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "And you don't know his address?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly woven round him. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Perfectly so." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Have you it here?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Not I." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some me what he had done with the three missing stones. but preventing her from injuring another. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an on in his house." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Come in!" said Holmes. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Watson," he said cordially. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in way in." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could down from London to inquire more deeply into it." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?'