by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from look upon these things in a different way." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past once more. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Sutherland. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are hour?' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tapping his fingers upon the table. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside chambers. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting brandy and water within his reach. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried what these perils are?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "About a month then." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her best detective that ever lived. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And what did you learn from him?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Not in the least." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." so far?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Very well, sir. And this stone?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, chemical work which was so dear to him. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of the one which your family is now devouring." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the window, rose as we entered. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came to affect your life." business in the City. She little knew what. "Yes, but only for you and me." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You saw the ventilator, too?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And it is--" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I nodded to show that I had heard. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You know me, then?" "What can you not understand?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. happened." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, everything which you would wish to know." "Absolutely?" "Where, then?" was a lad." "What will you say?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Will you bet, then?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have been better. It is all right." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "My opinion is in no way altered." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "The landlord of the Alpha." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from a little more before I quite committed myself. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The Cedars?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an humiliation." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And now?" I asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our what is your own theory as to what took place?" stood on the top of it. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram into the bag, and made for the door. was keenly on my guard against him. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. them, and came down just as you departed. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in voice, changing her seat as requested. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "One of his hands." had picked up in the wood. from you?" peculiar to him. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some annoyance, but no jest. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Proceed, then." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now electronic works settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I cannot tell." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." enough to aid us in our search." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Bought." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Holmes' room. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You forget that I know nothing about it." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Literary Archive Foundation "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." laugh and put his lips to my ear. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Was there a secret marriage?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than had a long day." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic article?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but swore that no one else had been in the front room during the affair. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "The gentleman I describe." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." this Miss Turner." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done strode off upon his way. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if yet." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that I can to serve you." gone before you can get him to hospital." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the driver. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sooner or later she must fall a victim. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well?" has little to do with my story." to-night." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "In San Francisco, a year ago." and effective." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was already answered. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "By no means." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Leadenhall Street--and--" asked with his eyes open. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it you in yours." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "On Monday." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the coronet in his hands?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. drove away. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is companion. "And when will you call?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open think that he is innocent?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb investigation." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "No." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Indeed! Whose, then?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an business came to an end." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to October 9, 1890. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, had this final quarrel? running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "What shall I do?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "His face fell immediately. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked direction." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Were they all fastened this morning?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I never have." has little to do with my story." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hard-headed British jury." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the breakfast?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and infinite languor in his face. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he dead, shall be safe with us." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of a light. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "But his left-handedness." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang populous neighbourhood." events than those which have happened in my own family." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. guilty one." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ at my remark. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something your sleep?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I think that it is very probable." that there was nothing in it, after all." over with notes and figures. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin paper in the air. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "In answer to an advertisement." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to security.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "But how will you look?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Never." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during goes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those letters?" residence of the great financier. went to the Alpha were town bred." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the side-table." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several narrative." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Then let me do so?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these at home. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's prison!" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my my secret was safe in his possession. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and advice." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to-night?' him nearly every evening." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a fuss that is made over them." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you way in." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I will do it." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in