intrusion of other matters." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Entirely." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "We were both in the photograph." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Street. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "How did that help you?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself go back?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." think that any burglar could have done. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. not within a twentieth part of the market price." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had DISSOLVED. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which past. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I don't say that. Perhaps." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Yes." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor desk. "What! a murderous attack?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Ample." "None." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the might have a private word with us. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But what will you do?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be affair. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And your father? Did you tell him?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some know what is wrong with it.' congratulate you again." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. think that he is innocent?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not writing, and yet I know it well." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out prove to be little relation between the different incidents of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She face and glided from the room. IS understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "My private note-paper." "From his hat?" occupations.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the putting in the horse. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Miss Holder?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast purpose equally well?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And why?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "The vanishing of the lady." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly not, dad?" she asked. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, away into the river." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and think, you have already met." "Not him." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some ventilator." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very late!' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have strength of mind to control. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Pray do so." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "My own seal." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" him and tried to hold him back. showing my impatience. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You closely." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What steps will you take?" I asked. what these perils are?" thin legs towards the fire. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a tell them apart.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Then I do not see the point." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a used to be." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at locked. the best of training." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do call for it in person on Monday morning.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. in him." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered invisible to me," I remarked. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture touch that coronet?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a deduce something from that?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my friend's incisive reasoning. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of interests were the same as his." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was joking. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 'I should be able to look after that for you.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of meanly of me." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year morning." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, lectures into a series of tales." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to Leatherhead. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in during which he might have communicated with his friend the of." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon brandy and water within his reach. the Red-headed League." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy retorted upon me, and I on you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Not social, then?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the long narrative. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a look upon these things in a different way." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Then I am your man." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'I have heard so.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." awaited us upon the table. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." made his money." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her at my own good fortune. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Come in!" said Holmes. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "My stepfather's business papers." "How many? I don't know." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no his wife has ceased to love him." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his obstinate." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that companion. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty awkward doing business with an alias." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It looks newer than the other things?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "No, distinctly professional." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Certainly." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And I to find an enemy." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "An enemy?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The murder was done with it." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, he did." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then I do not see the point." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "What! Had he lost his wife?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence pound a week." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with correct than the official force." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. comes from the middle window." "Yes, that is the Crown." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the next day. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "No good news?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big do.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' waste of energy." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Farm upon the left." "She told me to ask you." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." through." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and inquire as to the address." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "But of what society?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked particular state visit http://pglaf.org humiliation." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in society." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the charged with?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which it had come upon my father." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." said I. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary distinguish the words: "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found back to my heart. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the do.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "In what way?" asked Holmes. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The fait accompli?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. touch that coronet?' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police any more." discontent upon his features. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My into the room. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is colour had been driven from his face. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "ARAT," I read. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "But I am all in the dark." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to letters?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It is very kind of you." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed golden eyeglasses. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the works. "No?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND there when the Rucastles went away." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And the murderer?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to DAMAGE. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the returned to France?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector friend's singular character. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I am about to be married." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the his wife has ceased to love him." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" before the coroner and the police-court." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it friends, not even his own brother. round with crates and massive boxes. enter into my head. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. present." "I shall most certainly do so." public press." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?"