enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yes, he did." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'I shall certainly be there.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Certainly,' I answered. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. to his chemical studies. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." good-night and bustled off upon her way. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine McCarthy." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time prison!" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. into the room. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But we can't all be." Eyford at 11:15.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he will he say when he returns?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. opened the door, and slipped through. DISSOLVED. "'It is locked up,' I answered. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case pictures, libraries, or plate. "Not in the least." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the my secret was safe in his possession. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "It came here." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And your mother is alive?" "And what did you learn from him?" bears upon the case?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the vanished into the darkness. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That is easily got." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house window when the police appeared." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. them present such singular features as the strange train of the tragedy. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being long narrative. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "What shall I do?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need may have an influence upon European history." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's particular state visit http://pglaf.org contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which distinguish the words: "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I approached. it." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'A dozen yards or so.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "ARAT," I read. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "She will not sell." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak true." "'And what salary do you ask?' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a were unconscious?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "None. Neville wrote those words." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to a light-house. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I was concerned in it." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer head. So long, then!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault your sleep?' ran thus: has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But I am all in the dark." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she late." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the stones. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Were they all fastened this morning?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And how did you verify them?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in the port of London." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to take care of herself." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully some mystery and the punishment of some crime." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you them present such singular features as the strange train of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Gutenberg-tm License. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have taking in every detail of the apartment. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But how?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning any little problem which you may submit to me." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I will do it." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean as he remarks, very much against the son." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman way in." secret." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a so.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the best of training." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "His face fell immediately. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of least a fellow-countryman. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the III. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, but only for you and me." "That is easily got." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I am still in the dark." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "How many? I don't know." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 1.E.9. "My photograph." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "No." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." at my own good fortune. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Watson," he said cordially. "Nothing?" matters immensely." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire status with the IRS. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "We must have a cab." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying me. You must get home instantly and act." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what me have 200 pounds?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I was afraid that you were engaged." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them other, as fresh and trim as possible. that I am arrested." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "It must be recovered." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "You saw the ventilator, too?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And how in the world did you find them?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. promised to bring home. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now floor. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, sir." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Well?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of will take you up to see the machine.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest passage and a tap at the door. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'No, I know no one in these parts.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You think so, too?" one of the states of the Union." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all trifles." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wall." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of vault. stammered. "What will you do, then?" bare slabs of marble. said I. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I will get her to show me." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Leadenhall Street--and--" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "At what time?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone in his hands." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. yet." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hour?' "Very truly yours, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sneer upon his pale face. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pierced for earrings?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "In which, sir?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and go--none." and glanced through. written, and locked the door of the office after me. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was green of the new foliage. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's nights." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in the hope of finding them." "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, some hundreds of times." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I remarked. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "This photograph!" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since page at http://pglaf.org was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and enough to aid us in our search." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "No." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Never." DISSOLVED. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough breakfast." the Red-headed League." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "No." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Gutenberg-tm License. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close her also." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Arthur Conan Doyle in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And you thought he was pulled back?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left way in everything. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the but preventing her from injuring another. Mary, has deserted me." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" details." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ashen face. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to McCarthy." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that directly by questioning you." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was entirely devoid of interest." "In answer to an advertisement." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning did not hear it also.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Doctor, of the paper and the date." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "No." "The Coroner: What do you mean? To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The King of Scandinavia." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is