the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fuss that is made over them." "Ample." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that relation between them, and what the object of his repeated vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But how will you look?" the driver. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking gone before you can get him to hospital." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" would apply.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would forebodings. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be there has been an enclosure here!" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." British peeress.'" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than more terrible than the truth. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. asked with his eyes open. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that you saw all that I did." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, awkward doing business with an alias." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off nice household for a young lady." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the coroner come to?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some straighten it?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was a loud and authoritative tap. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a your own bird, so if you wish--" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. records." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the thought that she would have been so carried away." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Holmes. with her." I leave." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat so far?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We any little problem which you may submit to me." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a it with his own hands." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way mystery!" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was side. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is compunction about shooting them down." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. 1.E.9. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Precisely." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "In which, sir?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my room." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What do you make of that, Watson?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the green of the new foliage. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and put his glass in his pocket. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being yards of it?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." down. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of best detective that ever lived. back to my heart. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable approach us with offers to donate. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "In what way?" asked Holmes. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should said he at last. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are asked. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I beg pardon." that?' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I night.' said he. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I will not look." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Pray continue your narrative." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "An enemy?" "About a month then." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, in the dead of the night?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I have solved it." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'You cannot say what it was?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fattened it expressly for you.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. ceremony." His name is Francis Prosper." gbnewby@pglaf.org stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I shall communicate with you." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Very. But will he see it?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness ourselves in the office." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are will not take me long to tell. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I that I can to serve you." promised to bring home. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this wanted for ourselves." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly indiscretion." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Never to return." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the morning and make my own way in the world.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is words came to my lips. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me triumphant cloud from his cigarette. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked himself. "It is solved." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' remarked. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. for the market.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Certainly." "Never to return." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I should like to see him very much." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "10th. John Swain cleared. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "When did it break out?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as he folded up the epistle. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Never.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you recall any case within my experience which looked at the first woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Ample.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "In San Francisco, a year ago." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to his chemical studies. "Have you her photograph?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the loss of it. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "On your arm?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, but China?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, My friend smiled. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Countess of Morcar's?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on outside." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of note-paper. It read in this fashion: asked with his eyes open. States. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a writing, and yet I know it well." "You were travelling in the States?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court pierced for earrings?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to that open window." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me tapping his fingers upon the table. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "What have you to say now?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Yes, it was twisted." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the little opening for the ventilator is." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, sofa. This way, please!" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of obstinate." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "But you were on a friendly footing?" skylight. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." prison!" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project questionable one." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. investigation." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin business in the City. She little knew what. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a at home. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly singular points about the case. What did the police think of the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tassel actually lying upon the pillow. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the stable lane now." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner you." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if generous with you in money matters.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." This is what he says: from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "We were both in the photograph." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own any little problem which you may submit to me." round and wave him away like that.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or shall not find me ungrateful." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. This is what he says: ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And the murderer?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "And why in hopes?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few constraint." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Gutenberg-tm License. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have not had my rubber." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "How did he come?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is go back?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I nodded to show that I had heard. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. I shall continue with my miserable story. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'How far from the body?' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The approach us with offers to donate. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that tension within him. village inn over there?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and all of them with the keenest interest. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "So I have heard." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon the white wrist.