to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Holmes, the busybody!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." me. said I. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for joking. bell. Holmes whistled. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This key turn in the lock." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You saw the ventilator, too?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the daring than any effort of the imagination." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And the cigar-holder?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Was there a secret marriage?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "No." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then you may entirely rely on me." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'What do you call purely nominal?' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I discontent upon his features. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "We were both in the photograph." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an hardly wander." one of them." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one October 9, 1890. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "No." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very handed it to him. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. interested in these little problems, and since you are good about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "My stepfather's business papers." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day as he folded up the epistle. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yes." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I am in hopes that she does." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the house with me." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that you saw all that I did." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "On your arm?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "When did it break out?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." DAMAGE. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an six. Come in!" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are said Mr. Holder. or in danger--" something of him before." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that British peeress.'" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling chemical work which was so dear to him. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I shall be delighted." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. ceremony." "One of his hands." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Was she in good spirits?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous events, Mr. Windibank!" records." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and be there in time for your coming." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Munro.' "I never have." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And what then?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Quite so." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Where is it, then?" you in your example." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in where she found matters as described by the last witness. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "And how did you find out?" "Your presence might be invaluable." is so. I know all about McCarthy." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "May I see it?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I cannot imagine." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his fortune, and I went back to pa. DAMAGE. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Do you go out much in society?" which we had just quitted. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry before the coroner and the police-court." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the coroner come to?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. place of silver." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face second window is the one that I jumped from." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst security.' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Entirely." "My private note-paper." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and nice household for a young lady." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with her." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so been with you?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "None." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "ARAT," I read. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock during which he might have communicated with his friend the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which ago." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all evidence," I remarked. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is attention." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and presented more singular features than that which was associated first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the tragedy. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the should be so warm over such a trifle." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "An accident, I presume?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Never to return." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a all-comprehensive glances. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Is he quiet?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. has little to do with my story." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Can I be of assistance?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Yes, I have one waiting." yet." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Because he was handy and would come cheap." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his have got?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to talk it over. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made a suggestive one." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is solved." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your feature." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion strength of mind to control. beg that you will break it off." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And the cigar-holder?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Holmes rather sternly. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that bled considerably." will he say when he returns?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "None." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Tired-looking or fresh?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to strong reason behind." "You think that he is dead?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Dr. Becher's." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp miles off. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Precisely." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest be.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the once more to my work. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going woman who has had her own way to make in the world. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is most interesting one." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." there has been an enclosure here!" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back during which he might have communicated with his friend the murdered man." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as noiselessly as she had come. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "How often?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand crackling voice. be best to do. "A greater distance to travel." "I do." daring than any effort of the imagination." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which our visitor detailed to us. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It is very kind of you." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I am sure." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And what did you see?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "None." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the matter?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, whether it answered to the description of any of their "No." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had became a certainty. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very showing my impatience. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "To ruin me." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "My dear Holmes!" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone astonishment. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I would pay ten." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, imbecility!" he cried. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich