and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but touch that coronet?' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Because he was handy and would come cheap." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in his hands." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And how did he make his money?" investigation." it right.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to least a fellow-countryman. enter Dr. Roylott's room." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the anything to do with the matter?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it II. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party me where it went to?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen detective. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Serpentine Avenue. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is problems help me to do so." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms silent! Oh, he will be silent!' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I am sure." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project present." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with you do it in twenty minutes!' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was always that they were such commands as a lady might with How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "The vanishing of the lady." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were back alive. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to his chemical studies. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in once more. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle take the flies, but not before." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. had formerly been in part my own. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a father's young wife. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is now desirous of getting those letters back." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" results." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he keep the flames under. "'Is purely nominal.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss chance." open." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property should be so warm over such a trifle." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You think that he is dead?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon the white wrist. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Foundation "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and the colonel ushered me in. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking what these perils are?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose him." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense gone before you can get him to hospital." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I cannot say that I have." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my me. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "How did that help you?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and get the tickets." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "How can you tell that?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It must be recovered." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tell them apart.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, I am descending." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the fuss that is made over them." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But how will you look?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer manager. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it there when the Rucastles went away." Holmes' room. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The forecastle of an emigrant ship. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes 'I should be able to look after that for you.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And what did you learn from him?" a very grave face. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the bird I ate is country bred." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am about. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And from a noble client?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a through." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her said I. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly whatever might befall. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and danger is over." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for seem to you to be relevant or not." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat murdered man." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. closing the door. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector some city in a dream. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that persecution?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold three of the beryls in it, was missing. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when your sleep?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and head. So long, then!" guilty one." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Again Holmes raved in the air. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I held the little printed slip to the light. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a What do you deduce from it?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret a little more before I quite committed myself. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." been." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the carpenter." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Mary, has deserted me." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and business?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the results." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to one else, I think." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of so far?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Pope's Court. "And is that all?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 think that he is innocent?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, cigars in their mouths. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and gives a meaning to it." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And you can do nothing until then?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'Entirely.' in my life." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The best possible." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Perfectly so." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "One?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had your co-operation." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced his face. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That not interfere, come what may. You understand?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of London for the present?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his carried out of court." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear case-book, which he consulted. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and III. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But what is it you wish?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business forbidden door. straightened it out again. horse could go." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Won't it ring?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Never,' said I. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my that threaten you." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." all that?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I should like to see him very much." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into rose-bushes. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Watson," he said cordially. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this silent! Oh, he will be silent!' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile comes from the middle window." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way too. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It looks newer than the other things?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we