"It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him begin with, and I had not got mine yet." bonnet, and went out." "Who was the criminal, then?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This retorted upon me, and I on you." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came directly by questioning you." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever there has been an enclosure here!" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every served to weaken the effect. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to go into your room and bar your shutters?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a room?" lost nothing by them." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You don't mind breaking the law?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you imbecility!" he cried. "I am to be neutral?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes, only one." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I horse could go." noble correspondent could be. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more during which he might have communicated with his friend the digesting their breakfasts at home." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'Very good.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I not, dad?" she asked. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I cannot imagine." Pope's Court. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down way: stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I cannot imagine." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, less than 26s. 4d. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Very. But will he see it?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child possible that we could bring him back to her? settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem our word." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, even of instruction." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for likely to be some crony of the landlady's." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the drawing your inferences." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and companion quietly. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And how did you find out?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the inner apartment." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Yes, but only for you and me." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "You are all wrong." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ways of our fellow-men." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as infinite languor in his face. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must your most interesting statement." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He slept on the premises." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will I. peculiar to him. said he at last. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Is 4 pounds a week.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an there." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Certainly not. But why?' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew he. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, do.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Perhaps I have." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Not social, then?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, gentleman's clothes. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the letters?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our it were putty." comes from the middle window." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Clair, of Lee." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and lamp. "Were they all fastened this morning?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have one." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of this gang." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sneer upon his pale face. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of that he will be back before evening." "And what did you learn from him?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "No, my brougham is waiting." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which train.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE door?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. undoubtedly my uncle's." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Yes, it was gone.' remarked. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But you can know nothing of this?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots with you?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" second window is the one that I jumped from." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very ourselves in the office." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box taking in every detail of the apartment. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect pictures, libraries, or plate. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Stoke Moran?" said he. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from anything to a woman, for she would have her way." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." it. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Yes, it was gone.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just minor matters until to-morrow." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said stood on the top of it. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when meanly of me." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But who is he?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can It was close upon four before the door opened, and a upon the shelf for the interim." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Murdered?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But the mystery?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped unclasping of his long thin hands. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step leaning back in his chair. looking up at the numbers of the houses." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family narrative." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose shall use the carriage to-night." chambers. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug gbnewby@pglaf.org trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which it had come upon my father." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept him nearly every evening." "Precisely." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together in one or two places in England?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 weary and pale-looking. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes, that is the Crown." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I would give my fortune to have them back." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat questioning and rather startled gaze. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And your mother is alive?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. signal between you and your father? "'It is locked up,' I answered. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; about here speaks of his kindness to him." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the photograph?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the McCarthy." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "But I have heard all that you have heard." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress chance at all." "'Yes, I promise.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But how did you gain them?" answer."