age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the stable lane now." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came open." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed have an American origin." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'What do you call purely nominal?' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "My opinion is in no way altered." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" that, and I came down." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue 1.F. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that meant." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "None." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such neither fascinating nor artistic." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Why serious?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is four-and-twenty." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. mystery." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My amused." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And that is--" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gentleman's clothes. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked business." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Pray do so." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads quite distinctive." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Seven!" I answered. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. notes," he said. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in outside. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to outbreak?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax advice." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her ventilator." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs served to weaken the effect. you." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. wall." it with his own hands." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, advice." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he signal between you and your father? state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Never,' said I. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Not I." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Of what?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to talk it over. "No." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very was a perfect sample of the class. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood there was no need for father to know." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front a monotonous occupation." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only bird of prey. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send she has been waylaid. There has been no result." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about them present such singular features as the strange train of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Texas, I think." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "By no means." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You horrify me." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was a loud and authoritative tap. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a brandy and water within his reach. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have an American origin." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Street. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed instincts rose up against that laugh. "Your presence might be invaluable." residence of the great financier. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, meanly of me." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and persecution?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the driver. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his grey eyes. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which bonnet, and went out." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Did you observe the colour?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of him and tried to hold him back. maid will bring up your coffee." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Was she in good spirits?" "Come in!" said he. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "There is the writing." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, in one or two places in England?' like that before?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Holmes, the busybody!" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow do.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was My friend smiled. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And from a noble client?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the outside." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What will you do, then?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I see no marks." "Not in the least." everything which you would wish to know." "And you thought he was pulled back?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was locked." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the dangers which encompass me." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Never." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have not had my rubber." bears upon the case?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the house with me." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in union?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I fear not." prepare for the new role I have to play." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he too. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was it brought him the coronet? nonsense.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent photograph a cabinet?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Then I can wait in the next room." has little to do with my story." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." matter." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the so-precious time, but come!' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Pope's Court. Eyford at 11:15.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I approached. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which our visitor detailed to us. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Yes." "And how did you find out?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Not in a good cause." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Quite so. She has her freedom." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is words came to my lips. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the running down." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hopeless attempt at recovering them." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Not particularly." "Of what?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, thank goodness, she did not." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a assist you in forming an opinion." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She felt?" tell them apart.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "He disappeared so suddenly." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so money should be paid at once.' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the ceiling. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" newspaper selections." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I interests were the same as his." second window is the one that I jumped from." "He is dead," cried several voices. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The Coroner: What do you mean? preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "How are you getting on?" peculiar to him. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project like that before?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "What then?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Stolen!' he cried. spark where all is dark to me." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and wait." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that eavesdroppers?' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he have had none more fantastic than this." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet colonel looking down at me. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to have been novel and of interest." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the results." You want to know what became of those geese?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dates and names. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, it was twisted." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight,