successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "But you have hopes?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "It missed him, then?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And for present expenses?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Come in!" said Holmes. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Pope's Court, Fleet Street." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Who was the criminal, then?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. business." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened astonishment. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who over part of the map. "What do you read?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Texas, I think." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, detained." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "A greater distance to travel." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been thirty. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with main points of my analysis." "No bad?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing were wasted." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "No?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Where does the thing come from?' "You have carte blanche." "But how did you gain them?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." your room." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he digesting their breakfasts at home." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "9th. McCauley cleared. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Dark enough and sinister enough." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." bled considerably." "'As governess?' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could nonsense.' "Which are?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and wait." "My stepfather's business papers." him nearly every evening." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He get her out of the way." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Breckinridge is his name." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and I shall be with you presently." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have there were so many in the whole country as were brought together upon a handsome competence. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Yes, sir.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left bare slabs of marble. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "That is unusual in a young girl." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. question. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "He is still with you, I presume?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very introspective fashion. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "And when will you call?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But it has twice been burgled." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious matter." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "No, my brougham is waiting." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Count Von Kramm." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "By train from Waterloo." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, direction." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the chair. reach." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the habit of advancing money.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of is acting for the best. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'And the work?' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had tension within him. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge wall." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square works. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which straighten it?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I cannot imagine." writer." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Never." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The garden below. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity paper in the air. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It is very kind of you." 1.F. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What will you do, then?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean as he folded up the epistle. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and a shock of very red hair. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon companion imperturbably. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the house with me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Indeed! Whose, then?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we know that the truth is known." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Do you go out much in society?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and laid it on the table. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he again, where I was soon asleep. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one tear off another piece?' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought long narrative. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And why?" paper in the air. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "The vanishing of the lady." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Just look it up, then." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hands. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dramatic, in fact." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Yes, sir." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and your relations to her." in him." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Not social, then?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the even of instruction." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the drove away. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a into the bag, and made for the door. "And sit in the dark?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in not within a twentieth part of the market price." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Doctor, of the paper and the date." comes from the middle window." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his at a side door. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Then let me do so?' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I have hopes." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, some hundreds of times." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." overpowering excitement and concern. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little disturbance in my wife." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, lumber-room." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "That is possible." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I think it very unlikely." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when http://gutenberg.net/license). followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. round and wave him away like that.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm room. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in the port of London." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. memory. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my room." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Oh, the cause is excellent!" question. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need never came back." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Perhaps we may make them less so." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Oh, yes, easily." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "And when will you call?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard question. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one colour had been driven from his face. nothing with him." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her be best to do. and the church but not where the lady lived." gone before you can get him to hospital." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, o'clock is it?" quick march!" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of direction." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to change my dress. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that, and I came down." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was nothing with him." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, outbreak?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." overpowering excitement and concern. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And I to find an enemy." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Indeed! Whose, then?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which it had come upon my father." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and