"Yes." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Is he quiet?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the little opening for the ventilator is." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's congenial hunt. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a mysterious business." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining character. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may we went to search for him, face downward in a little journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that there was nothing in it, after all." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You are all wrong." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which For additional contact information: swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, there is a decided draught." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to official police." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of come either from the window or the door. My attention was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But how will you look?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then I can wait in the next room." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "No." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Then let me do so?' "I cannot imagine." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." following enigmatical notices: building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There companion. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you in your example." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do it were putty." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand friend's singular character. "That you are never beaten." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I came to find a friend." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But to whom?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I never have." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering advice." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "And sit in the dark?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "That was it, sir." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case into the bag, and made for the door. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Very murderous indeed." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'How far from the body?' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "What do you mean?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You have a clue?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice pity, because in other respects you would really have done very little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." into the room. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I some water from a caraffe. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You think so, too?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which them?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I think it very unlikely." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one DAMAGE. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have goes." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Really! You surprise me." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. morning." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Texas, I think." was shining brightly. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was forehead. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pressing in one house as in another. there!' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the developed." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two where we are going." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You have a clue?" the station." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then, as to money?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark light and attacked it." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Of Friday, June 19th." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort before, for it was considerably after midnight. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to upon the white wrist. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Come in!" said he. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly events than those which have happened in my own family." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would matter." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to remarked. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of your young ladies.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The knees of his trousers." Sholtos." "It is half-past ten now." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Ten to two.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. not fit the lock." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing answered with a sidelong glance. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple breakfast." "Ha! you find it so?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our least a most suspicious remark." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of what is your own theory as to what took place?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "There is the writing." happened." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'As governess?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And why in hopes?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Nearly eleven." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance as yours." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the best of training." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Why serious?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that the gas is not laid on in his house?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And why?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that you wished to speak to me?' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when you want, then?' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy for the market.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money my friend's incisive reasoning. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the out of this horrible affair." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, What do you deduce from it?" cigar and let me expound." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you handed it to him. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Yes." "Of what day?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, putting in the horse. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a woman." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Certainly." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and passage and a tap at the door. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its putting in the horse. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The gentleman I describe." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly likely to be some crony of the landlady's." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Nothing." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The forecastle of an emigrant ship. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot door?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you good-night and bustled off upon her way. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, nights." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had not as remarkable as your advertisement." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I without a word or a look. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country colonel looking down at me. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that there was nothing in it, after all." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and laid it on the table. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover discontent upon his features. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I have hopes." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "ARAT," I read. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I would give my fortune to have them back." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. himself in a perplexing position. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. these bleak autumnal evenings." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and people in all walks of life. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a cigar and let me expound." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though