before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The landlord of the Alpha." following enigmatical notices: "You were travelling in the States?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "But his lameness?" indeed which he could not unravel. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, memory. Arthur Conan Doyle part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the matter?" "'Quite sure, dad.' the King without delay." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Yes, sir.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a wall." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You horrify me." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been forehead. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror congenial hunt. new acquaintance to Baker Street. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect envelope. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the ran thus: together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat key of the affair now." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some me where it went to?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." amused." infinite languor in his face. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That morning." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You were travelling in the States?" very morning of my second wedding." front of me. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I like that before?" seen the man in the road." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. just ask you whether you had heard it.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Nothing." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ago." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It looks newer than the other things?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled or in danger--" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself think you a quite exceptional woman." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, business in the City. She little knew what. "Deserted you?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. were new raised from a basin. fait accompli?" detained." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Which dealer's?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the are windows in it, of course?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one seven miles from Eyford Station.' "On your arm?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his you give your casting vote to?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Proceed, then." "Yes, at the mines." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of meant." the side-table." see a sister of mine apply for." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the Red-headed League." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." into the bag, and made for the door. "But you can know nothing of this?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. very old mansion. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a sparkled upon his finger. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "But you have hopes?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step ran thus: your sleep?' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "ARAT," I read. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Dr. Becher's." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me The summons was a brief and urgent one. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite 'please.'" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish him and tried to hold him back. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Nothing." hard-headed British jury." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and get the tickets." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. nothing of it?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, highly," said Holmes. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the salesman. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'A dozen yards or so.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry which are rolled in Rotterdam." round and wave him away like that.' "I will get her to show me." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a kind enough to tell me what I should do." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "A confidential servant?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely thought that she would have been so carried away." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the becomes even more simple." a very grave face. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Dr. Becher's." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I am sure." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself tied." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Won't it ring?" "The best possible." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal States. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hopeless attempt at recovering them." it." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his during which he might have communicated with his friend the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the so-precious time, but come!' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Have you it here?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hands. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Holmes, the busybody!" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses note?" Holmes." British peeress.'" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt copied or distributed: yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and than to us. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper me where it went to?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set yards of it?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Never." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove until night should bring an explanation. may have an influence upon European history." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "About a month then." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I would give my fortune to have them back." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had quickly through a disagreeable task. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Then, as to money?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions quick march!" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the these bleak autumnal evenings." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on are, and they are waiting for us." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton his face which made him a very different person to the round, and the church but not where the lady lived." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But your client--" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of that I can to serve you." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of receipt of the work. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am in hopes that she does." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better You want to know what became of those geese?" the salesman. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I bonnet, and went out." obstinate." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the chance." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small best detective that ever lived. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He coroner's jury." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and the church but not where the lady lived." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see conceal it?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The doctor?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as you do it in twenty minutes!' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. becomes even more simple." criminal. We have already had experience of such." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, your room." "No, I had a dozen." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had just called myself is not exactly my own." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Then I am your man." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But I have heard all that you have heard." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But how did you gain them?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong not come at once?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stood on the top of it. Gutenberg-tm License. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Yes." "You think that he is dead?" of campaign. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I am sure." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It came here." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I answered that I had not. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Entirely." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." with some details as to your case." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time help us in this matter." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "In the cells." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would would then never go into court at all." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a