years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Where, then?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the matters immensely." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that lectures into a series of tales." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not rose-bushes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time our word." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "And how did you verify them?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tail." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! was already answered. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any he bowed and left the room without another word. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most some mystery and the punishment of some crime." at my own good fortune. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father easy-going way." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said never to learn it at all." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of purpose of examination. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "My last client of the sort was a king." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Perhaps we may make them less so." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to have been novel and of interest." really the only notable feature about the thing." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to a light-house. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "In which, sir?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the III. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the salesman. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the devil!" purpose of examination. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, there!' "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were present." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, wedding?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was a lad." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of receipt of the work. "Where is it, then?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to-night?" I asked. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in burst out into a roar of laughter. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "How did he come?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Do you know him?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But you can know nothing of this?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a him to be an active member of the medical profession." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "What of the rat, then?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Well, it is a possible supposition." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Mrs. Toller serenely. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It must be recovered." room. one's self under obligations.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "At half-wages, in fact." place no limit on the sum I may draw." his face which made him a very different person to the round, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. call the police, let the police find what they can.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to it means?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I her also." voice. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Never.' "On your arm?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Mary, has deserted me." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands she used." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to his chemical studies. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. house for five minutes.' fait accompli?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "In heaven's name, what for?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the best detective that ever lived. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "How did you trace it, then?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his plantation.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "And the murderer?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I would give my fortune to have them back." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in upon a handsome competence. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set promised to bring home. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for towards the blaze. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it gives a meaning to it." clang of the bell. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, made him keep the appointment." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Two days later this same performance was gone through under TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND congratulate you again." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Literary Archive Foundation WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I have it here in my museum." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, derbies." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "He disappeared so suddenly." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" one else, I think." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards character. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small business matters.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I am all attention, madam." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who me have 200 pounds?' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the if only as a check to my own memory." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come depend upon my doing so.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as you." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous yourselves in at night?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." keep the flames under. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But purpose equally well?" fear." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "My last client of the sort was a king." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Street. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "How did he come?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was used.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "No, but the enclosure is." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "How often?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I say it is." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, later, upon the night of May 2nd." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" plantation.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always in a very precise fashion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, drove away. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I don't say that. Perhaps." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Farm upon the left." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Proceed, then." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of residence of the great financier. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I will, Miss Turner." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and your relations to her." "Which are?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem written, and locked the door of the office after me. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at is entirely a question of barometric pressure." official police." salesman. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Eyford." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You are hungry," I remarked. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy entirely devoid of interest." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It entirely devoid of interest." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled breakfast?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, from Horsham." the ceiling. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Then he might have called to you?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the salesman. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of way: away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your really the only notable feature about the thing." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were silent! Oh, he will be silent!' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I me. You must get home instantly and act." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each investigation." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to