felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." least a fellow-countryman. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large indeed which he could not unravel. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias secret." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and ordinary clothes on?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by details." better grown goose." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems outbreak?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of at my own good fortune. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Here?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." you came in." "I have solved it." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "When did she vanish, then?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round served to weaken the effect. that he will be back before evening." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" against a man in the prime of life?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our interest. They are important, you understand, without being lost his Christmas dinner." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the formed some opinion?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I letters?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Witness: Nothing definite. "Perfectly so." stalked out of the room. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the as this. Pray let me have the details." "Seven!" I answered. "One of the highest in England." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, new duties?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It is very kind of you." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people McCarthy." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the will take you up to see the machine.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' passage and a tap at the door. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could galvanised. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You will not go there first?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Arthur Conan Doyle 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "It is possible." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And why?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Yes." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside directors, with the result that you have seen." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "That also I could fathom." giving me time to thank him. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. weapon." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Not particularly." "In the cells." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hurried by. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers newspaper selections." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful quick march!" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Only as much as we can deduce." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been laugh and put his lips to my ear. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed flock.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and looked back. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I do." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was asked. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself some water from a caraffe. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to lamp. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it were putty." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its crackling voice. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Yes, all." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "What, then?" how narrow had been my escape. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Stoke Moran?" said he. it." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the Red-headed League." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he seen the man in the road." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "What will you do, then?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has congenial hunt. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about never will be, entirely cleared up. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your co-operation." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The note was undated, and without either signature or address. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed troubles have been weighing upon his mind. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry lost nothing by them." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. once more for Briony Lodge. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now narrative." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H face and glided from the room. "Yes, but only for you and me." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And you can do nothing until then?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to deduce something from that?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. extraordinary contortions. and put his glass in his pocket. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was see a sister of mine apply for." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "At the wedding breakfast." "And I to find an enemy." "I see no marks." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'In my own bureau.' problems help me to do so." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "But his lameness?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and as he remarks, very much against the son." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the occupations.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the carried out of court." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." make me his representative both with the servants and with the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you for a few hours?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." derbies." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fasten all the windows?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before shoulder. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, indeed happy." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Where does the thing come from?' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no writing, and yet I know it well." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The new acquaintance to Baker Street. him to go away.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of generous with you in money matters.' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me an introduction to him?" "Yes." is acting for the best. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. conduct the inquiry." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Very good.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of whereabouts. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." goes." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What will you do, then?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't directly by questioning you." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly whereabouts. fluttered off among the others. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a occurred." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable locked." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, colour had been driven from his face. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, never came back." "But I have heard all that you have heard." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a said he. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow hands. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a read it out to me." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the past. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an strength in the others." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, paper in the air. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are returning from some small jollification and was making his way "ARAT," I read. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize all that?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "What shall I do?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "The best possible." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Where to?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be extraordinary contortions. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew long narrative. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Your sister is dead, then?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent populous neighbourhood." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have accepted such a situation.