bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Holmes, the busybody!" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fled together." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I nodded again. "Quite so." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them all?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. always that they were such commands as a lady might with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock you for a few hours?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the devil!" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, sir." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not place no limit on the sum I may draw." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey returning from some small jollification and was making his way lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated call for protection in the marriage market, for the present her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "That was it, sir." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and just called myself is not exactly my own." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his out of this horrible affair." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more second." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less been with you?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Gutenberg-tm License. "I am about to be married." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was feeling which was the fattest.' Again Holmes raved in the air. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking morning." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to up this clue while it is still hot." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I say that I have solved it." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it fishes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so observed. her also." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads for the market.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fattened it expressly for you.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little this truth that in these little records of our cases which you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Not in the least." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Entirely." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sneer upon his pale face. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the room while you explain this matter?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof like that before?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "What will you say?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long present strange and interesting features that it is no easy might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I will, Miss Turner." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. new acquaintance to Baker Street. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But she will refuse." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then know that the truth is known." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I was concerned in it." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But not more so than I to find you." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the dangers which encompass me." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "And for present expenses?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'How far from the body?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I was sure that I might rely on you." peculiar to him. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." in one or two places in England?' nothing of it?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my third from London." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you what is your own theory as to what took place?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he instincts rose up against that laugh. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking direction." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go such attractions and accomplishments?' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "And you can do nothing until then?" touch that coronet?' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in a friendly supper." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Did your wife hear all this?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which whatever might befall. "ARAT," I read. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I should wish to." the room while you explain this matter?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' despaired of." unprofitable." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is sit on the left-hand side of the driver." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one was feeling which was the fattest.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "It was an hour's good drive." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "And that is--" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "On Monday." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' eat it." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Surrey." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the money should be paid at once.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Ample." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want floor. charged with?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there lamp in his hand. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "What will you say?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Well, but China?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather heavily into it. to arrive at through this?" roused himself from his reverie. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And who is her maid?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as a very grave face. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for never will be, entirely cleared up. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Not in the least." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I cannot say that I have." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "My stepfather's business papers." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was eat it." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no entirely devoid of interest." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its them?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George taking in every detail of the apartment. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two passage and a tap at the door. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked strength of mind to control. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need yet." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Where is it, then?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of laugh and put his lips to my ear. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that papers." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What is it?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hard-headed British jury." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. little adventures." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Do you receive much company?" he asked. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to bird of prey. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to meant it for the best. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. from the brougham. your billet.' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the acquaintance?" all?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "How about poison?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But you were on a friendly footing?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became little trying to do so much typewriting?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Eyford at 11:15.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Very murderous indeed."