to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Never to return." "'I am sure that I do not know.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and prosperity to your house. Good-night." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "So I have heard." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the stalked out of the room. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." will take you up to see the machine.' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in him." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Nothing." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to talk it over. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB strong and stiff." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon in a friendly supper." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my learned something! Where are the gems?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were be there in time for your coming." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Deserted you?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up is worth.' "I guessed as much." companion. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly better in every way that they should make their position a little an introduction to him?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but up this clue while it is still hot." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Nothing." "It is very kind of you." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my everything which you would wish to know." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to past. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the house with me." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I assure you that I am in your hands." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Ha! you find it so?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through himself. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up charged with?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate directors have had misgivings upon the subject." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Certainly." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I beyond words. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, stammered. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." definite end. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the forbidden door. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I union?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the nursery. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Eyford at 11:15.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and companion quietly. "On the contrary, this is the right side." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the stones. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. away into the river." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Deserted you?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hardly wander." "Did he not advertise?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was lame." persecution?" "At the wedding breakfast." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." to-night?" I asked. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' notes," he said. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. green of the new foliage. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And your mother is alive?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the views." bears upon the case?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the Assizes." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter call it cruel." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The rest you will leave in our hands." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I key turn in the lock." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of bears upon the case?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge other lovers by making love himself." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone out of this horrible affair." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the dangers which encompass me." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of My friend smiled. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I guessed as much." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel trifles." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you deduce something from that?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reach." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, some hundreds of times." carpenter." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was once confined in the cab my mission was practically back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The hair?' "'As governess?' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am in hopes that she does." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "That also I could fathom." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and lumber-room." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set go--none." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the daring than any effort of the imagination." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pressing in one house as in another. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the salesman. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the thirty. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to go into your room and bar your shutters?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any indiscretion." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "How are you getting on?" room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Holmes' room. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are had formerly been in part my own. an introduction to him?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur said he. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, purpose of examination. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Entirely." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you understand?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very For additional contact information: if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I do." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have not had my rubber." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hardly wander." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the room while you explain this matter?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Witness: Nothing definite. vanished into the darkness. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "An accident, I presume?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went characteristics, but those are the more obvious." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was not a bird to be seen there. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "She told me to ask you." "It was." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Why did you beat the pavement?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then, as to money?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Whose house is it?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I never have." "And how have you succeeded?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" door?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No sign of it?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the matters immensely." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the side-table." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me have an American origin." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of gbnewby@pglaf.org course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You have but to name it." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead door?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal direction." dramatic, in fact." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to pressing in one house as in another. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which unclasping of his long thin hands. "And your father? Did you tell him?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "A thing like a cleaver," said he. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you?' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of call it cruel." "Have you her photograph?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for woman." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Nearly eleven." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned