You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just rooms." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. sparkled upon his finger. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You don't mind breaking the law?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from way in everything. "How on earth--" You want to know what became of those geese?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not London for the present?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was shaken than I had ever seen him. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "My last client of the sort was a king." "Come in!" said he. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done brain must have something in it." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then, how do you know?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out memory. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about problems help me to do so." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, child?' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." prisoner's face. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and bled considerably." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and in him." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a London for the present?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Certainly." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Was she in good spirits?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I am sure." "The best possible." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well status with the IRS. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was nonsense.' gone. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that this unhappy family?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the house with me." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that questioning and rather startled gaze. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it against a man in the prime of life?" nonsense.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Always." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "He might." compunction about shooting them down." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. enter Dr. Roylott's room." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt whatever might befall. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he imbecility!" he cried. appointment with me for six o'clock?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle was it brought him the coronet? Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a daring than any effort of the imagination." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. of it with the greatest attention. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 matter." "Stoke Moran?" said he. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my go--none." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and laid it on the table. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a copied or distributed: enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The rest you will leave in our hands." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the indiscretion." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the people don't know." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg would apply.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From your troubles." friend's singular character. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And I to find an enemy." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune meant it for the best. him and tried to hold him back. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" even so self-evident a thing as that." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other stepfather?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite as he folded up the epistle. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Where is it, then?" at home. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the matter over." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And help." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all go--none." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sake, don't!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it with his own hands." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Cross for the Continent." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Holmes rather sternly. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "How often?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But his lameness?" 'please.'" if she died from some sudden fright." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. sneer upon his pale face. nice household for a young lady." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull purpose equally well?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "But I have heard all that you have heard." room. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Have you good authority for what you say?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to his chemical studies. one which it was hard to resist. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been placed his cuttings. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It goes to the housekeeper's room." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I don't say that. Perhaps." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." envelope. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, away into the river." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap see me here to avoid scandal." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We kind enough to tell me what I should do." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to had a long day." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Yes. He waved his hands." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" served to weaken the effect. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which carriage. It was a chestnut." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." III. wedding?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of even so self-evident a thing as that." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "How can you tell that?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Is he quiet?" "Was there a secret marriage?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked notes," he said. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fish-monger and a tide-waiter." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "My stepfather's business papers." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "No, I am descending." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." better grown goose." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She fire. You quite follow me?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even existence." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his electronic works stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Pray do so." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked generous with you in money matters.' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring will be renamed. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "He disappeared so suddenly." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning grasp, he hurried from the room. opened the door, and slipped through. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' shall use the carriage to-night." in. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you again before evening." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and looked back. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told himself to hunt down. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "How are you getting on?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And Miss Sutherland?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "How often?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to take care of herself." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the walking." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it it." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four awaited us upon the table. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "But he might be a bachelor." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he into the room. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done roused himself from his reverie. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a criminal. We have already had experience of such." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my former friend and companion. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Why? What do you mean?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, such person." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham http://www.gutenberg.net that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which we had just quitted. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief colour had been driven from his face. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in undoubtedly my uncle's." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, society." she used." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My photograph." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him beg that you will break it off." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And that is--" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent my special province." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I morning." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, train.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled nonsense.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have established a very serious case against the son of the