nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Quite so." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I so far?" have established a very serious case against the son of the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I stood on the top of it. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious License. You must require such a user to return or made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lumber-room." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "It's nothing of the kind." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Project Gutenberg-tm works. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "9th. McCauley cleared. during that time.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little rat could hardly pass through." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from was a perfect sample of the class. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And why in hopes?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. ran thus: "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at points to suicide?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "None." direction." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine sake, don't!" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Yes." "That is possible." "He disappeared so suddenly." where we are going." horse could go." chambers. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had conclusions. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Have you good authority for what you say?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such unprofitable." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I promise," said Holmes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is is four-and-twenty." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "But his lameness?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' is four-and-twenty." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said morning." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. DISSOLVED. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "May I see it?" the loss of it. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, feature." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a chance at all." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Street. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in desk. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And how did he make his money?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Certainly." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant crackling voice. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to is worth.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No, I am descending." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Leadenhall Street--and--" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Very truly yours, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, is worth.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might troubles have been weighing upon his mind. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. could gather together that I was able to avert another public these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same already referred to. has little to do with my story." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Stolen, then." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, acquaintance?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father their singular warning or token before them when starting upon upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "There is the writing." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And is that all?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Entirely." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to have that photograph." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "A call for help, you thought?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the so-precious time, but come!' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted crowd. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to some other building. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was shining brightly. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend as the one I chose?' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which could not have written that. It is the German who is so said I. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What will you do, then?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Yes.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'What then?' I asked. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Sutherland. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: dates and names. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' him!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." look dissatisfied." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was But Holmes shook his head gravely. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and as he folded up the epistle. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "By no means." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. conceal it?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action would then never go into court at all." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I fear not." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine crackling voice. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Come in!" said Holmes. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the salesman. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared where she found matters as described by the last witness. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down bare slabs of marble. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "But I have heard all that you have heard." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Literary Archive Foundation "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was what is your own theory as to what took place?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ha! you find it so?" "BALLARAT." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after matter over." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds so far?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project investigation." "Then I shall certainly come." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Has he come with you to-night?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I cannot tell." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I was sure that I might rely on you." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the father's place of business?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'What then?' I asked. lumber-room." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his introspective fashion. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my affection." you." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. matter." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his guilty one." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. noble correspondent could be. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to third from London." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never present." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Married! When?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "That sounds a little paradoxical." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Not yet." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." it. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." bedroom door." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss detained." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room written, and locked the door of the office after me. over here." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Look there!" said he. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "He is dead," cried several voices. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your one of the states of the Union." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Munro.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is speckled band?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to have that photograph." in this way: "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to you." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "10th. John Swain cleared. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we had this final quarrel? my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for developed." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a main points of my analysis." fire. You quite follow me?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce