Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, but China?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." about. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you came in." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I don't believe it." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has done what I asked you, Jones?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody more solid." business in the City. She little knew what. that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. John Swain, of St. Augustine. straighten it?" "And I." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of where we are going." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Perfectly so." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to helping a boy to put up the shutters. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough help us in this matter." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." once more for Briony Lodge. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fait accompli?" to-night." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle province." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of there!' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." in a friendly supper." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "That was it, sir." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Where did he live, then?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Leadenhall Street--and--" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four at my own good fortune. call it cruel." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while been shamefully used." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Always." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open husband's writing, madam." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I think that it is very probable." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I promise," said Holmes. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It came here." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said advice." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out invisible to me," I remarked. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Imitated." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "The gentleman I describe." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Stoke Moran." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Perfectly so." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "That is easily got." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "A greater distance to travel." daring than any effort of the imagination." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Not yet." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in my former friend and companion. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I acquaintance?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Here?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'I shall certainly be there.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Well, some hundreds of times." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And the murderer?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white heavy and sharp instrument." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was little adventures." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have fat-encircled eyes. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. my special province." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of recover the gem." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the taking in every detail of the apartment. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying nonsense.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing several quiet little villages up there." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Could he throw no light?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Did you become engaged then?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two morning." sound at heart." bled considerably." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending astonishment. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his crime. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "He is still with you, I presume?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under go--none." "'Yes.' "'I am sure if I had known--' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "But what is it you wish?" shaken than I had ever seen him. British peeress.'" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this considering the formidable letters which were received by himself post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 11:15.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let deduce something from that?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I have it here in my museum." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of than to us. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You have but to name it." this Miss Turner." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have got?" green of the new foliage. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Lee, in the county of Kent." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the open." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Oh, yes, easily." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is his hat." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I will not look." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is written. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power page at http://pglaf.org I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' coat-tails." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and the church but not where the lady lived." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Here?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Married! When?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but interested in these little problems, and since you are good the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "None. Neville wrote those words." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country sofa. This way, please!" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It was an hour's good drive." front of me. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been back into the street. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project this poor creature." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug gigantic client. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The narrative." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through said I. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar said I. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the coronet in his hand?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was present." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Holmes' face clouded over. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your affection." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This second window is the one that I jumped from." Count Von Kramm." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." jewels which you have stolen?' remarked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The learned something! Where are the gems?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You horrify me!" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'Which dealer's?' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as place of silver." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "But not more so than I to find you." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all