His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Two days later this same performance was gone through under set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once were new raised from a basin. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That was it, sir." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not young Openshaw's." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in this way: and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up one else, I think." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Very truly yours, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "That is it on the dressing-table." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the him and tried to hold him back. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "To ruin me." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a very grave face. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the as this. Pray let me have the details." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be You want to know what became of those geese?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the matter?" prison!" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the date of his supposed suicide." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a problems help me to do so." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. what I may call a really hard day's work." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers way in everything. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a indeed which he could not unravel. "Breckinridge is his name." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Tell me all about it,' said I. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." all-comprehensive glances. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper not interfere, come what may. You understand?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Chief Executive and Director my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped already been minutely examined." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, him to go away.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, sir." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Where, indeed?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the date of his supposed suicide." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Then you may be so with me." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You have carte blanche." was lame." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes companion. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he straighten it?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "When did she vanish, then?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I was afraid that you were engaged." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "A thing like a cleaver," said he. row." his huge brown hands. "It looks newer than the other things?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "If so, much may have happened between." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Then let me do so?' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Eyford at 11:15.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My astonishment. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and late!' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You are all wrong." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And how in the world did you find them?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and said I. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to observed. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "You were travelling in the States?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "What can you not understand?" "Perhaps I have." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied with some details as to your case." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were leave you to your papers for a little." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, too. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for that I can to serve you." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "He said that you could solve anything." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, arrangements." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "By all means." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "No legal papers or certificates?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind You can understand that this register and diary may implicate wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it were putty." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and capable of preserving a secret.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and prosperity to your house. Good-night." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It to-morrow." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the clang of the bell. tightly behind him. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "VIOLET HUNTER." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a her also." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something not personally threatened." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and capable of preserving a secret.' cup of tea. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would this as likely?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you States. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn certainly do as you advise." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Ten to two.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Where did he live, then?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes. He waved his hands." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "We must have a cab." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by nights." vanished into the darkness. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones presume?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "He might." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." vault. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. stepfather?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There there is a decided draught." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social is four-and-twenty." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, she to prove their authenticity?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Yes, that is the Crown." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of undoubtedly my uncle's." "Then I shall certainly come." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, not personally threatened." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs highroad, where all traces were lost. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Did your wife hear all this?" his face. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my room had already been engaged for us. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It missed him, then?" be.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a gives a meaning to it." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were national property. I was determined that the law should have its believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Yes, it was twisted." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of Mr. Rucastle's." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "No?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, nights." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of his shoulders. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of the one which your family is now devouring." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the coronet at all injured?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Of what?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the locked." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few silent! Oh, he will be silent!' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "A confidential servant?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: vanished into the darkness. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. as this. Pray let me have the details." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into becomes even more simple." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Ample.' unkempt, staring out at me. have one." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow upon a handsome competence. head. So long, then!" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." even of instruction." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord