he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked only touch the interest." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The best possible." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his wife has ceased to love him." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the general public were present, then?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you way in." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "But his left-handedness." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: signal between you and your father? "'Ten to two.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to Leatherhead. question," said Holmes, smiling. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And why?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was used.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I will do it." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a whereabouts. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "How do you know, then?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce union?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch bearing upon the case." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into my little problems." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Which dealer's?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. even of instruction." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "My dear Holmes!" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential http://www.gutenberg.net resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the husband's writing, madam." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that than to us. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in said I. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting locked. with frightened eyes at his accuser. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fled together." you in yours." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Doctor, of the paper and the date." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I cannot think." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it directly by questioning you." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But to whom?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." happened." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, carriage. It was a chestnut." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something have established a very serious case against the son of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have DISSOLVED. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this poor creature." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Yes, sir.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I am all attention, madam." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor 'please.'" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had clanging. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Yes, he did." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which if I call to-morrow?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I will, Miss Turner." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the straightened it out again. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' arrangements." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, advice." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It's nothing of the kind." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Is 4 pounds a week.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "No." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as constraint." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "By no means." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the little opening for the ventilator is." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my gone. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in three of the beryls in it, was missing. minor matters until to-morrow." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement compunction about shooting them down." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to go into your room and bar your shutters?" eavesdroppers?' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "From his hat?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over one else, I think." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. constraint." and I shall be with you presently." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which she might be summoned. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had meanly of me." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she again on its way. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so been anything against him. He had for years been known as a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always ourselves in the office." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other rose-bushes. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." strength." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's during that time.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Was your sister dressed?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "What then?" window when the police appeared." "Yes, at the mines." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for seem to you to be relevant or not." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary union?" "'Certainly,' I answered. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had lumber-room." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare pictures, libraries, or plate. individual and becomes the badge of a society." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "And why?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'A dozen yards or so.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and glanced through. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Did you become engaged then?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then I am your man." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Was there a secret marriage?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. II. Cross for the Continent." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me them present such singular features as the strange train of were wasted." "But you have hopes?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than if I call to-morrow?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" call for it in person on Monday morning.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The what do you think they found in the pockets?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their few hundred pounds.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and feature." and capable of preserving a secret.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "What, then?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Of what day?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Not in the least." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." with her." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." rose-bushes. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Then I shall certainly come." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I status with the IRS. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And what then?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to a more successful conclusion." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found society." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Most admirably.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I have seen the police." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. affair. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "A greater distance to travel." mysterious business." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "How did he come?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." learned something! Where are the gems?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to-night?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "And when will you call?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And I to find an enemy." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I that "Yes, he did." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the residence of the great financier. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was