out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. row." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless infinite languor in his face. purpose equally well?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain joking. "Yes." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. copied or distributed: laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe locked. McCarthy's innocence. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was feeling which was the fattest.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about narrative." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Thank you. And your address?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I cannot tell." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him manager. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Then, how do you know?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Again Holmes raved in the air. taking in every detail of the apartment. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat 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 keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Certainly." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything extraordinary contortions. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found would then never go into court at all." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes, from Horsham." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no could gather together that I was able to avert another public Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the just ask you whether you had heard it.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence presented more singular features than that which was associated Miss Holder?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady upon the sideboard." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive soul! here is her carriage at the door." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the washing it down with a long draught of water. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a married her." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had hour?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for signal between you and your father? and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of presented more singular features than that which was associated "In heaven's name, what for?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but your billet.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Lee, in the county of Kent." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But your client--" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, late!' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" off." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is weapon." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I nodded again. "I never have." house for five minutes.' disappearance of these gems?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the bed, and you in that chair." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. helping a boy to put up the shutters. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fasten all the windows?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It looks newer than the other things?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Murdered?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "How do you know, then?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I shall be delighted." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where occupations.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "You think so, too?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no telegram would bring me down to your help." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had me. presume?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "And what did you see?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and wait." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "No, thank goodness, she did not." guilty one." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "We have tried and failed." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Certainly." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he death." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without success. At last the little money which I had saved began name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his suspect him." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "9th. McCauley cleared. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wedding?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in this note: the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Then I can wait in the next room." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is kindly on the shoulder. people in all walks of life. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Chief Executive and Director stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. man. "But what is it you wish?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide direction." nothing with him." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was brandy and water within his reach. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under be.' be there in time for your coming." "It is his hat." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed which are rolled in Rotterdam." "It is very kind of you." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. unkempt, staring out at me. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the about. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It looks newer than the other things?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fashion which was peculiar to him. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "None." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to daring than any effort of the imagination." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and only touch the interest." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local place of silver." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You think so, too?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when be.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from undoubtedly my uncle's." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that opportunities to fix the problem. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the warnings." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed said he. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us advice." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at home. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Dirty?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes, certainly." "My dear Holmes!" way in." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate views." vanished into the darkness. little adventures." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "If so, much may have happened between." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I should wish to." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the very morning of the wedding." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Precisely." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid questionable one." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "How about poison?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done thin legs towards the fire. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not she to prove their authenticity?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand 'I should be able to look after that for you.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the amused." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so village inn over there?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lips." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then you may be so with me." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to tell." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the inner apartment." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the running down." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my pound a week." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, with you alone." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You are all wrong." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of them has the shutters up.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in 1.E.9. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause showing my impatience. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but said I. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the warnings." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "What! Had he lost his wife?" "You horrify me." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your together. "How on earth--" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "That is it on the dressing-table." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's some place of shelter and let the county police know what has here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no business matters.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of becomes even more simple." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some