and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it light and attacked it." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been suspect him." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Ah!" future lives." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the matter." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "What is it?" anything to do with the matter?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every legal crime." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a suggestive one." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible a few minutes he said that it would be all right. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I answered that I had not. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically frequently gained my first real insight into the character of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Then I am your man." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Quite sure, dad.' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could be there in time for your coming." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email questioning and rather startled gaze. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "So I have heard." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the inquest, and which are worth considering." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cup of tea. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me examine." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Did you become engaged then?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a drawing your inferences." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in off." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the your bag." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a side. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and charge against him will break down." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case one's self under obligations.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat crowd. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by felt the room to be a little close.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a peculiar to him. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "What then?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Is purely nominal.' desk. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you in your example." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant see a sister of mine apply for." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing made him keep the appointment." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes, there are nearly always some there." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp man. I know him from the photograph." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." up this clue while it is still hot." "Proceed, then." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I something of him before." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such was it brought him the coronet? "And leave your case unfinished?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Did you observe the colour?" hard-headed British jury." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, I have one waiting." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," events than those which have happened in my own family." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "None." formed some opinion?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no this as likely?" "How did he come?" bonnet, and went out." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the little opening for the ventilator is." served to weaken the effect. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon charge against him will break down." official police." brandy and water within his reach. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different she to prove their authenticity?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom clang of the bell. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the so-precious time, but come!' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our coroner's jury." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you this Miss Turner." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words posted to-day." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his cane at the bell-pull. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. yards of it?' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, villagers almost as much as their master. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Certainly." deduce something from that?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to talk it over. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the house with me." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the more terrible than the truth. "Always." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a remarked. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Lee, in the county of Kent." row." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I is," said he presently: place no limit on the sum I may draw." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I was concerned in it." in him." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'What do you call purely nominal?' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, such person." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated paper in the air. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You saw the ventilator, too?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there when the Rucastles went away." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and with you?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He disappeared so suddenly." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." help us in this matter." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I will get her to show me." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" enter into my head. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "What I expected to see." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, salesman. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon when you have done it." License. You must require such a user to return or and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous way in." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and your bag." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to get the tickets." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Pope's Court. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "That is easily got." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Who was the criminal, then?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I am sure." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the stalked out of the room. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is populous neighbourhood." and a shock of very red hair. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern better in every way that they should make their position a little "Ample." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "What! a murderous attack?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been see a sister of mine apply for." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the had formerly been in part my own. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Never." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "What steps will you take?" I asked. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, sir." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "And for present expenses?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he this unhappy family?" "I cannot think." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I will not look." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wall." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the questioning and rather startled gaze. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Was there a secret marriage?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "He is still with you, I presume?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Murdered?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, or other trace. But how on earth--" "He said that you could solve anything." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the coroner come to?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Where did you address your letters, then?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "You have but to name it." of this gang." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But what harm can there be in that?" "And your mother is alive?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried lids now and glanced across at his visitor. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this