I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "She told me to ask you." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the side-table." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us written. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I becomes even more simple." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon will find little credit to be gained out of this case." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for mystery." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Eyford." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all see a sister of mine apply for." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to quite distinctive." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It missed him, then?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched on in his house." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the posted to-day." keep the flames under. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in his hands." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of Fenchurch Street." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I did not hear it also.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together asked. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Then you may entirely rely on me." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And on what day did he meet his death?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have an American origin." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a down. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office you?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the tragedy. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All certainly not very gracious." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in sooner or later she must fall a victim. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you in yours." the devil!" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a acted in my house last night?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the did not hear it also.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well again." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very held up the lantern and gazed about him. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our III. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them system of imprisonment?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of note?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. or other trace. But how on earth--" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'It is locked up,' I answered. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he said he. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I call you and give you the chance." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Where did you address your letters, then?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, one's self under obligations.' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "In heaven's name, what for?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the Red-headed League." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' prisoner's face. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying your co-operation." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Again Holmes raved in the air. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may highly," said Holmes. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. him to be an active member of the medical profession." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical writing, and yet I know it well." just called myself is not exactly my own." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the stable lane now." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely know that the truth is known." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then, as to money?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the Assizes." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Nothing." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty unprecedented a position." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a himself. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to-night." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action which was all perfectly true. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." said he. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Why did you pick him?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I guessed as much." "Why? What do you mean?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking was once confined in the cab my mission was practically metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to lumber-room." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Nothing." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Dark enough and sinister enough." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either shoulder; "he's all right." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how less than 26s. 4d. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Pope's Court. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." me where it went to?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "The gentleman I describe." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND ready to-morrow?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered prisoner's face. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to shall not find me ungrateful." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the http://www.gutenberg.net abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "A client, then?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there morning." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to some other building. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "What do you mean?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a carriage. It was a chestnut." there was no need for father to know." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "How did he come?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Murdered?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all down from London to inquire more deeply into it." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon already referred to. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my nice household for a young lady." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project see me here to avoid scandal." him!" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the photograph a cabinet?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the or other trace. But how on earth--" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's became a certainty. papers." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property next day. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, me what he had done with the three missing stones. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes, sir." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the chance." wedding?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Bought." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, lamp in his hand. already been minutely examined." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the way of danger. "I will not look." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of than to us. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, some terrible trap for her." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; coat-tails." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be sufficient punishment." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the nursery. jewels which you have stolen?' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "At the wedding breakfast." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes attention." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common instincts rose up against that laugh. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "We have tried and failed." "Nothing." him nearly every evening." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What will you say?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "The gentleman I describe." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." bears upon the case?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her bird of prey. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we trifles." dear old homesteads?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Then, as to money?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Yes." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more you, my dear young lady?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "But I have heard all that you have heard." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I nodded again. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong cause to be." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I am about to be married." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are