and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here said he. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the south-west, I see." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden this as likely?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. what I may call a really hard day's work." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he knowledge of the world." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was money should be paid at once.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace http://gutenberg.net/license). me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose papers." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Of what?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. relief. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Absolutely?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I shall be delighted." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Then you may entirely rely on me." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for at home. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of tightly behind him. "Who was the criminal, then?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My private note-paper." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his newspaper selections." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And that is--" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in indiscretion." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have someone who had been in Australia." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works trying to your nerves." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the or in danger--" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Is he quiet?" disappearance of these gems?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, secret." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to colour had been driven from his face. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him assist you in forming an opinion." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." instituted." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, colour had been driven from his face. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross of the one which your family is now devouring." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you room. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, I think that I'll take it." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and manager. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in call for it in person on Monday morning.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a not personally threatened." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "My stepfather's business papers." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a might help us?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the iron safe, which he closed upon it. My friend smiled. kind enough to tell me what I should do." the tragedy. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide you in your example." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new brain must have something in it." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by knowledge of the world." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "What then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Street. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. existence." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom information in his hands the value of which he did not himself when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly awaited us upon the table. "I guessed as much." knowledge of the world." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, who was a member of your goose club." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Was she in good spirits?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Where, indeed?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about behind me. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something compunction about shooting them down." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat written. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the During two years I have had three consultations and one small himself in a perplexing position. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the go--none." voice. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped up this clue while it is still hot." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Literary Archive Foundation any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did place no limit on the sum I may draw." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "On your arm?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what rose-bushes. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. several quiet little villages up there." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the tragedy. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. union?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a always that they were such commands as a lady might with would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his it." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I fear not." indeed which he could not unravel. lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with some details as to your case." "But how?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "You forget that I know nothing about it." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "And on what day did he meet his death?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a photograph a cabinet?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Have you her photograph?" "'Oh, no.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" few hundred pounds.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless gone. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I cannot tell." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since leave you to your papers for a little." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon door?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of obstinate." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have appointment with me for six o'clock?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of waste of energy." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to crime." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Witness: I must still refuse. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "We have tried and failed." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I nodded to show that I had heard. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. back into the street. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of with frightened eyes at his accuser. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of Fenchurch Street." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which it. dates and names. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." washing it down with a long draught of water. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, IS met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and your relations to her." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "My dear Holmes!" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then how many are there?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang hand, madam?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." coroner's jury." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was instincts rose up against that laugh. "Was she in good spirits?" carried out of court." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Of what?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can what I may call a really hard day's work." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he