that you can jump it.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gigantic client. forbidden door. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out is so. I know all about McCarthy." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "What of the rat, then?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a little more before I quite committed myself. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this whatever might befall. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "How do you know, then?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'As governess?' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual this unhappy family?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here carpenter." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Very truly yours, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small weigh very heavily upon my conscience." closing the door. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "My opinion is in no way altered." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "What! Had he lost his wife?" the Assizes." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the very letters. But what is this written above them?' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Street. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the driver. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Oh, no.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. some water from a caraffe. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dates and names. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm papers." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time not fit the lock." "And I to find an enemy." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now had died away into the silence from which it rose. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then the page we have seen--" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "So I am. Very much so." that threaten you." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "You have compromised yourself seriously." bell. Holmes whistled. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to arrive at through this?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "In San Francisco, a year ago." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Certainly." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his knees, staring into the fire. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and the whole place is in a blaze." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in is worth.' to take care of herself." our word." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was it brought him the coronet? like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. during that time.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the other means.' "What will you do, then?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I would give my fortune to have them back." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." without a word or a look. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of done what I asked you, Jones?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Was he the only applicant?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of receipt of the work. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the me have 200 pounds?' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fashion which was peculiar to him. DAMAGE. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Which dealer's?' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Not in the least." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to writers could invent nothing more crude." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And why in hopes?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "From his hat?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' roused himself from his reverie. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever drawing your inferences." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And when will you call?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin will not take me long to tell. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I fear not." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage this remarkable episode. golden eyeglasses. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was call you and give you the chance." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. lost nothing by them." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant anything to do with the matter?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is do.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, I had a dozen." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their examination of the premises, but without finding anything which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the passage and a tap at the door. "No, finished." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have unprecedented a position." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You are all wrong." "You have but to name it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to mystery may be cleared along those lines." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You have but to name it." any more." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "But what is it you wish?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Not yet." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, observed. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the upon an income of about 60 pounds." advice." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door knowledge of the world." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his taking in every detail of the apartment. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed conduct the inquiry." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer way in." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "None." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "What will you do, then?" be. again, where I was soon asleep. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De been shamefully used." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my ceremony." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Proceed, then." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I don't believe it." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." bears upon the case?" "'Never.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and fear." you give your casting vote to?" "Precisely." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I am all attention, madam." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very away into the river." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Sholtos." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I nodded again. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went morning." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." approach us with offers to donate. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as purpose equally well?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of this gang." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I disturbance in my wife." wife's character?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp his eyes and forehead. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Nearly eleven." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the