"Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Upon what point?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'Yes, sir.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "A call for help, you thought?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'It is locked up,' I answered. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most My friend smiled. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now in one or two places in England?' chill to my heart. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), so far?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. existence." "But you have hopes?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the where we are going." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a which was all perfectly true. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "It is very clear." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes' face clouded over. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "A confidential servant?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique until night should bring an explanation. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Thank you. Pray proceed." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is husband's writing, madam." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It looks newer than the other things?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Dr. Gregory B. Newby every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily young Openshaw's." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and capable of preserving a secret.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." confronted him. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sparkled upon his finger. outbreak?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There appeal." the address that was given us in the advertisement. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in be. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been question," said Holmes, smiling. better in every way that they should make their position a little the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we returned to France?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Pray do so." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic brain must have something in it." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For man. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange your billet.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden fish-monger and a tide-waiter." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" address. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." comes from the middle window." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I will, Miss Turner." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Yes." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from know all about it," he snarled. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "But what is it you wish?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "No. What a strange idea!" interests were the same as his." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Indeed! Whose, then?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch populous neighbourhood." had this final quarrel? ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old young Openshaw's." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on him!" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw might have a private word with us. to you." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Thank you. Pray proceed." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his learned something! Where are the gems?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "My dear Holmes!" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "It is possible." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite meant it for the best. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' arrangements." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I promise," said Holmes. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a newspaper selections." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "But you can know nothing of this?" "I should wish to." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and me where it went to?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug like that before?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Then I can wait in the next room." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a For additional contact information: "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass said he at last. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, someone who had been in Australia." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." this poor creature." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad three of the beryls in it, was missing. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It have an American origin." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Ample." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What steps will you take?" I asked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But how?" bonnet, and went out." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But the mystery?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the station." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite bedroom door." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bird I ate is country bred." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the pound a week." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sufficient punishment." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: yourselves in at night?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips congenial hunt. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that question. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at my own good fortune. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Thank you. Pray proceed." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Seven!" I answered. at once, for I have only half an hour." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to floor. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? some city in a dream. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant voice, changing her seat as requested. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "What then?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You heard nothing yourself last night?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock will he say when he returns?" himself to hunt down. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Game for a morning drive?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! father's young wife. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "What, then, did Peterson do?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Quite sure, dad.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bearing upon the case." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up asked. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my special province." villagers almost as much as their master. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Ten to two.' "One of the highest in England." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord The events in question occurred in the early days of my age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Nearly eleven." "That is not always so easy." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Certainly." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end extraordinary contortions. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall himself. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father,