in this way: to that open window." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and it need not interfere very much with one's other thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what occurred." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it row." will not take me long to tell. the ceiling. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with works. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from giving me time to thank him. "Ample." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. fled together." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" comes from the middle window." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in his power. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Who by?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first carpenter." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And how did he make his money?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Quite sure, dad.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope man. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It was." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. there when the Rucastles went away." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the orange pips. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "But she will refuse." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "We must have a cab." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Never.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "How many? I don't know." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in his power. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "We have tried and failed." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get which it had come upon my father." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Pool. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is possible." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird occurred." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then, as to money?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his where she found matters as described by the last witness. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You were travelling in the States?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and files of the old papers, following the future career of every in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Dr. Becher's." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the chambers. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Your French gold?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "That is also quite modern," said the lady. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of think you a quite exceptional woman." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Did he not advertise?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a room. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Yes?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an orange pips. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I think that I could be of assistance to you." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you good for you to do.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I am about to be married." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Her father is very rich?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." "What do you mean?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her you in your example." roused himself from his reverie. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go papers." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To forbidden door. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my obstinate." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I have my revolver," said I. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. highly," said Holmes. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a key turn in the lock." begun to whiten, even as mine has." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, is now desirous of getting those letters back." than to us. Project Gutenberg-tm works. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "To ruin me." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Entirely." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the coronet at all injured?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows voice. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little entirely lost his self-respect." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a brandy and water within his reach. "Was the window open?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than your own bird, so if you wish--" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in danger is over." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about again before evening." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which gentleman's clothes. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Certainly." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the tragedy. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing keep the flames under. future lives." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wedding?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "He said too much." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other States. "Her father is very rich?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We comes from the middle window." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Yes, sir.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted your only hope of safety." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I think, you have already met." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it." unprofitable." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the some terrible trap for her." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, never to learn it at all." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" taking in every detail of the apartment. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg ran thus: two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." nights." be best to do. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine wedding?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he both be extremely obliged.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "No, thank goodness, she did not." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. it." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Henry Baker is a member." to tackle the facts." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for and were ordered to this address. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out thought that she would have been so carried away." than to us. "It is his hat." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Stoke Moran." even of instruction." into the room. was feeling which was the fattest.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I should be immensely obliged to you." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outbreak?" again, where I was soon asleep. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else perplexity from it to my illustrious client. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Stolen, then." and your relations to her." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Murdered?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Then how many are there?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. photograph a cabinet?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. only touch the interest." "Precisely." away into the river." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the III. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Did you observe the colour?" see me here to avoid scandal." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom must compliment you." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "My opinion is in no way altered." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and populous neighbourhood." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the one else, I think." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the he died? "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless empty. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and files of the old papers, following the future career of every however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment.