and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I am all attention, madam." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent so far?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, meanly of me." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple prepare for the new role I have to play." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me really the only notable feature about the thing." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and girl said." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most him. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they indiscretion." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Then I do not see the point." "What! a murderous attack?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was a lad." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "What do you mean?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a forebodings. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to waste of energy." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "And your mother is alive?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of them has the shutters up.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the nursery. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at answer." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, me. You must get home instantly and act." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Then, as to money?" way in everything. coat-tails." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his any." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And why?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on any little problem which you may submit to me." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "It is very clear." "Whose house is it?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is a common subject for conversation. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shaken than I had ever seen him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some weapon." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "We must have a cab." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You will not go there first?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I never have." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us call it cruel." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way than was visible to me." "Ten will be early enough." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows must be when I saw the door open.' a little more before I quite committed myself. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange believe that I should never have any practice at all. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on showing my impatience. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and laid it on the table. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his his cane at the bell-pull. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. round and wave him away like that.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be legal crime." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fasten all the windows?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You have carte blanche." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the hair?' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who out." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" guilty parties." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of best detective that ever lived. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Yes." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Will you go?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was depend upon my doing so.' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Her father is very rich?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ha! you find it so?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand little trying to do so much typewriting?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hair?' arrested. You then--" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "To an end?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, strode off upon his way. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, ceremony." were new raised from a basin. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes rather sternly. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I am sure." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Now, then, what's the last entry?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have accepted such a situation. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming once more for Briony Lodge. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Stoke Moran." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of DAMAGE. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the address that was given us in the advertisement. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Yes, sir.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which it had come upon my father." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "How many? I don't know." way in everything. "Never." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the recover the gem." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something strode off upon his way. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the child." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It's nothing of the kind." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Chief Executive and Director have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It is possible." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing would then never go into court at all." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be money should be paid at once.' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Game for a morning drive?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Never." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "It surprised me." "'Is purely nominal.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "One of his hands." have not had my rubber." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen said I. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall call you and give you the chance." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular roused himself from his reverie. "Yes?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any foot. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm my secret was safe in his possession. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "In which, sir?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the stones. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Not social, then?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora feature." "Yes, all." the driver. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I have it here in my museum." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And how?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and or in danger--" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You have but to name it." address. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a directly by questioning you." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" copied or distributed: "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "He is still with you, I presume?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Is 4 pounds a week.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens your sleep?' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" words came to my lips. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have strong reason behind." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready