without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not words came to my lips. "Not in a good cause." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the bedroom door." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. locked. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "My opinion is in no way altered." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'I am sure if I had known--' note?" be there in time for your coming." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to entirely lost his self-respect." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, prepare for the new role I have to play." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I see many objections to any such theory." "I was mad--insane." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "If so, much may have happened between." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and go from here to the Strand." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Then let me do so?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a recover the gem." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bird I ate is country bred." is worth.' Eyford at 11:15.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could will be renamed. me. You must get home instantly and act." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of outside. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." past. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we be.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I companion quietly. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I should wish to." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Then you may be so with me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a His smile broadened. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in it." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The gentleman I describe." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: nonsense.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "And did you observe any change in her then?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But what is it you wish?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me been with you?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Ten to two.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, asked. "Yes, I have one waiting." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and clang of the bell. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Holmes' room. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "So I heard. You have him here?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Do you know him?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." even so self-evident a thing as that." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at indiscretion." back to my heart. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "No bad?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." drawing your inferences." congenial hunt. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in a very precise fashion." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But you have hopes?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. congratulate you again." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a good hundred miles off by now." despaired of." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then I am your man." be best to do. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I beg pardon." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and laid it on the table. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other is," said he presently: responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even out." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Where to?' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in his power. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I have seen the police." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the congenial hunt. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Nothing." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Certainly." "Oh, yes, easily." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Pray let us have it, for all that." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he evidence," I remarked. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" do.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in away to you." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. reach." "He slept on the premises." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "The knees of his trousers." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" very morning of my second wedding." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Never." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On your most interesting statement." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ago." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "An enemy?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "In San Francisco, a year ago." on in his house." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Witness: I must still refuse. did not hear it also.' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." bill, which interests me deeply." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "No." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "He is still with you, I presume?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But not more so than I to find you." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Pool. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is not personally threatened." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Do you go out much in society?" "ARAT," I read. remarked. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back existence." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "By all means." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "When did it break out?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bled considerably." "Nothing." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at him. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to change my dress. address. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which my friend's incisive reasoning. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Ah!" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Henry Baker is a member." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon woven round him. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'It is locked up,' I answered. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "What! Had he lost his wife?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If felt?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. appeared upon the scene." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a quick march!" the driver. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook weary and pale-looking. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the so-precious time, but come!' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous is now desirous of getting those letters back." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "This photograph!" "Dirty?" "How do you know, then?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I will get her to show me." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, morning." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Which are?" "Absolutely none." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." even of instruction." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your unkempt, staring out at me. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of them present such singular features as the strange train of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The decline of his fortunes, then?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed that he has suffered." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'How far from the body?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then spare." "By train from Waterloo." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover this as likely?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in in this way: "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug.