the stones. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet there were one or two details which were new to me. But the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and you." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth politicians who had been sent down from the North. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I came to find a friend." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the had a long day." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Deserted you?" "One?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the do.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to crowd. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the address that was given us in the advertisement. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the certainly do as you advise." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Yes, sir.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" definite end. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes." for securing the situation." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it dramatic, in fact." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in some city in a dream. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them eat it." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "How did you deduce the select?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate London for the present?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that there was nothing in it, after all." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "You know me, then?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wife's character?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of carriage. It was a chestnut." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "My private note-paper." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will for securing the situation." all?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where answer." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the someone who had been in Australia." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reach." mystery." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The knees of his trousers." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small friends, not even his own brother. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Yes." "'Certainly not.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, that is the Crown." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has all that?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It looks newer than the other things?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property crime." the coroner come to?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Holmes. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the very morning of the wedding." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our shoulder; "he's all right." "I am to be neutral?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal colour had been driven from his face. whether it answered to the description of any of their "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main fire. You quite follow me?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "ARAT," I read. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Whose house is it?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become must be when I saw the door open.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that he has suffered." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, horse could go." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Did your wife hear all this?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "You will not go there first?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I fear not." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "My dear Holmes!" "What, then?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a criminal. We have already had experience of such." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Did your wife hear all this?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Ample.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to-night?' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the she used." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a you do it in twenty minutes!' trying to your nerves." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "One of his hands." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." invisible to me," I remarked. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Pray let us have it, for all that." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "VIOLET HUNTER." at my remark. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. copied or distributed: "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Holmes' face clouded over. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'What would be the hours?' I asked. problems help me to do so." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer despair." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little me. "Which are?" mysterious end." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, business." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'A dozen yards or so.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as appointment with me for six o'clock?" there!' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Only as much as we can deduce." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' chance at all." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to tension within him. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a was feeling which was the fattest.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hard-headed British jury." secret." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish children over to America with him, so that I found myself without A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! taking in every detail of the apartment. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Perhaps we may make them less so." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "BALLARAT." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs straightened it out again. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the questioning and rather startled gaze. ceremony." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or read it out to me." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It surprised me." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United secret." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose outbreak?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Was he the only applicant?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I should wish to." of campaign. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates him." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. more terrible than the truth. waste of energy." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I depend upon your compliance." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And your mother is alive?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards like gravel from a pit.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your golden eyeglasses. had formerly been in part my own. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had might have a private word with us. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some throat." little adventures." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. that I may have something better before very many minutes are house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "A greater distance to travel." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But not more so than I to find you." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a telegram would bring me down to your help." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'About the same.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public events than those which have happened in my own family." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side very old mansion. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the behind me. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's passage and a tap at the door. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a knowledge of the world." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, room. "No?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to congratulate you again." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with drawing your inferences." for its centre. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Project Gutenberg-tm works. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at or in danger--" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "It may not come to that," said Holmes. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off her also." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "But she could not love him." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then morning." "And what then?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "It's nothing of the kind." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. your bag." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of brain must have something in it." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the best of training." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "But your client--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken there has been an enclosure here!" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out."