"It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of Fenchurch Street." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. place no limit on the sum I may draw." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he disturbance in my wife." the address that was given us in the advertisement. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and fishes. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will again before evening." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It must be recovered." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an guilty one." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of was a loud and authoritative tap. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper easy-going way." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Gutenberg-tm License. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then when you have done it." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle touch that coronet?' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Yes, certainly." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I am about to be married." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "You have but to name it." in his power. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the secret." with some details as to your case." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of was a lad." will not take me long to tell. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found ashen face. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'A dozen yards or so.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a when your master had gone out." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "No, finished." laugh and put his lips to my ear. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It is to him that this trophy belongs." beg that you will break it off." rat could hardly pass through." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "My stepfather's business papers." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I cigars in their mouths. following enigmatical notices: would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I introspective fashion. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a gone before you can get him to hospital." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and looked back. crowd. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "9th. McCauley cleared. "I have my revolver," said I. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the who was a member of your goose club." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of rat could hardly pass through." man. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst along the entire front of the house, with three long windows set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he felt the room to be a little close.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'A dozen yards or so.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and morning." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you give your casting vote to?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "This photograph!" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Never.' to-morrow." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in easy-going way." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Was she in good spirits?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What I expected to see." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or look upon these things in a different way." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "9th. McCauley cleared. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman time." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it himself to hunt down. villagers almost as much as their master. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Pray do so." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew later, upon the night of May 2nd." him nearly every evening." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What are they?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should said he. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Of what?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is four-and-twenty." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I room had already been engaged for us. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who meant." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of is a common subject for conversation. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But he might be a bachelor." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given my special province." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." look dissatisfied." if I call to-morrow?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. formed some opinion?" "One of his hands." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Only as much as we can deduce." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. them?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "What is it?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes." think you a quite exceptional woman." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Will you go?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke strength." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point kind enough to tell me what I should do." do." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in foot. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1.F. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and arrangements." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "And your father? Did you tell him?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "No, I think that I'll take it." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a friend's singular character. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Has he come with you to-night?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; dramatic, in fact." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But you were on a friendly footing?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth if only as a check to my own memory." like that before?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Not yet." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity whereabouts. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hereditary King of Bohemia." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to not, dad?" she asked. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis golden eyeglasses. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I have seen the police." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast three of the beryls in it, was missing. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from extraordinary contortions. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those mysterious business." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the points to suicide?" forebodings. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, photograph?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may place, I think that there is good ground to think that the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second drove away. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her have been better. It is all right." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my suddenly upon us." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "A greater distance to travel." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "But you have hopes?" "I am still in the dark." "From his hat?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Nothing?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Not in the least." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Not in a good cause." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It is very kind of you." "That is it on the dressing-table." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly down. "But your client--" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' do you make of it all?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Pool. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached easy-going way." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the it with his own hands." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "My dear Holmes!" "Certainly." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." murdered man." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted gone. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' records." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson memory. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She chance at all." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and