"But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "My dear Holmes!" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained is," said he presently: "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. mystery." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "To an English lawyer named Norton." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting said I. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from cigars in the box." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no have established a very serious case against the son of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the said he. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And the cigar-holder?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for your troubles." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always get her out of the way." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his gigantic client. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really key turn in the lock." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "No, finished." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the address that was given us in the advertisement. your co-operation." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, them?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no this Miss Turner." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Do you go out much in society?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day would then never go into court at all." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here what I may call a really hard day's work." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'No, I know no one in these parts.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" crime." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the for and were ordered to this address. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "And on what day did he meet his death?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." careless servant girl?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never test if we have an answer to our advertisement." London for the present?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when this Miss Turner." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am frequently gained my first real insight into the character of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It missed him, then?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to-night's adventure." o'clock is it?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to have that photograph." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. have been better. It is all right." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been within hail.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" indeed which he could not unravel. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But his lameness?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. done what I asked you, Jones?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that joking. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in compunction about shooting them down." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly forehead. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this weapon." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. not within a twentieth part of the market price." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have an American origin." carried out of court." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had ourselves in the office." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. system of imprisonment?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" paper in the air. "And I say east," said my patient. than was visible to me." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. there in twenty minutes." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with bed dies. Does not that strike you?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the appeal." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Was he the only applicant?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked highly," said Holmes. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and redistribution. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He carried out of court." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was lost his Christmas dinner." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the green of the new foliage. indeed which he could not unravel. 11:15.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "But how?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive singular points about the case. What did the police think of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly o'clock is it?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I promise," said Holmes. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with despaired of." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Ten to two.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, goes." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly both be extremely obliged.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said she has been waylaid. There has been no result." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" up this clue while it is still hot." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Never,' said I. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable companion. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to amused." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Was there a secret marriage?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Yes, it would be as well." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to talk it over. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You are all wrong." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name long narrative. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "And for present expenses?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there fire. You quite follow me?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment place of silver." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost indiscretion." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes." "Has he come with you to-night?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "And when will you call?" "It was." kind enough to tell me what I should do." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hand, madam?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And leave your case unfinished?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Witness: Nothing definite. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will photograph?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and laid it on the table. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, unkempt, staring out at me. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch other, as fresh and trim as possible. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in darkness. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed assist you in forming an opinion." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Not yet." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I shall communicate with you." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Precisely." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'A dozen yards or so.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Entirely." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "What! You do not mean bodies?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I was afraid that you were engaged." remarked. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Ample.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for its centre. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood carriage. It was a chestnut." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to go--none." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white himself in a perplexing position. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that gone before you can get him to hospital." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Yes, but only for you and me." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered 11:15.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to particular state visit http://pglaf.org between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Ten will be early enough." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and him to go away.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Ah!" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a