returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing round with crates and massive boxes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened second." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" her also." it." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been formed some opinion?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, kindly on the shoulder. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers minor matters until to-morrow." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hereditary King of Bohemia." are, I think, all that we need." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close meanly of me." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "May I see it?" "Pray do so." "No." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But she will refuse." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped question," said Holmes, smiling. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too outside. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Certainly not. But why?' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the not within a twentieth part of the market price." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the salesman. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by unprofitable." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Was she in good spirits?" overpowering excitement and concern. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Tired-looking or fresh?" than was visible to me." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "To ruin me." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps becomes even more simple." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no things are very often connected not with the larger but with the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of shall not find me ungrateful." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Yes, at the mines." "Nothing." "Come in!" said he. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to some other building. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the bedroom door." "Pray continue your narrative." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It joking. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, daring than any effort of the imagination." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and is acting for the best. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. good-night and bustled off upon her way. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and no precautions can guard against." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Certainly, madam." of." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' lamp in his hand. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution made him keep the appointment." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am American. Then who could this American be, and why should he black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Again Holmes raved in the air. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** him. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ran thus: "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There is the writing." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in him." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Holmes' thin, eager face. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, problems help me to do so." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I guessed as much." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes." my secret was safe in his possession. "How can you tell that?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We any." "But you can know nothing of this?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a digesting their breakfasts at home." important." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to second window is the one that I jumped from." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that?' "Yes?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Perhaps I have." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of least a fellow-countryman. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "The Cedars?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to out of this horrible affair." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Miss Holder?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; too. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. to-morrow." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had been able to understand it, in a very few words. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if might have a private word with us. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and all of them with the keenest interest. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'Is purely nominal.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of campaign. down. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in once more to my work. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Get out!" said he. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Holmes. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I have solved it." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I wanted for ourselves." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of disappearance of these gems?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "You think that he is dead?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear as he remarks, very much against the son." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Surrey." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous me." "No more words. Get out!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Why did you beat the pavement?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Certainly." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a companion imperturbably. of campaign. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear said he. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for burst out into a roar of laughter. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; enter Dr. Roylott's room." was shining brightly. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. over part of the map. "What do you read?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the bottom.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Which dealer's?' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and inquire as to the address." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Nothing?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It may be so in this case, also." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "My dear Holmes!" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an residence of the great financier. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. something of him before." "None. Neville wrote those words." problems help me to do so." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It was a confession," I ejaculated. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I will, Miss Turner." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his not as remarkable as your advertisement." future lives." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out individual and becomes the badge of a society." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Which dealer's?' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pierced for earrings?" Henry Baker is a member." until night should bring an explanation. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Certainly." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "An accident, I presume?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, hurried by. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in later, upon the night of May 2nd." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case quickly through a disagreeable task. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. never came back." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I approached. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but indeed which he could not unravel. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had girl said." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, never came back." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed everything which you would wish to know." is acting for the best. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about for and were ordered to this address. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And I to find an enemy." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you infinite languor in his face. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it right.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the yourselves in at night?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil room?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a whether it answered to the description of any of their approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'I have already given you my word.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Certainly." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her 11:15.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I cannot as yet see any connection." mystery." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be rose-bushes. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which when your master had gone out." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "That is possible." generous with you in money matters.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should