thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the Assizes." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Stolen!' he cried. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just conclusions. bird of prey. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Always." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is mystery may be cleared along those lines." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I say it is." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his politicians who had been sent down from the North. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a believe that I should never have any practice at all. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always situation." into the bag, and made for the door. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Yes.' I held the little printed slip to the light. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "He said that you could solve anything." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "My opinion is in no way altered." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both door?" despair." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "One?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'About the same.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of vanished into the darkness. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and laid it on the table. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. not as remarkable as your advertisement." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to take care of herself." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And how did he make his money?" Surrey." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My prepare for the new role I have to play." article?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the stable lane now." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' you?' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Cross for the Continent." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive British peeress.'" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Munro.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you in your example." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in bled considerably." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I again before evening." and your relations to her." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It must be recovered." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "No, I had a dozen." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to laugh and put his lips to my ear. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he retorted upon me, and I on you." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." your Highness to the police-station?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug felt the room to be a little close.' "How about poison?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that you wished to speak to me?' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was already answered. fattened it expressly for you.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden wife's character?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "So I heard. You have him here?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was evidence," I remarked. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And what did you see?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband definite end. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I am armed." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your invisible to me," I remarked. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the your billet.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she situation." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back late!' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a http://www.gutenberg.net what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. less than 26s. 4d. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "And your father? Did you tell him?" only touch the interest." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your your bag." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your whatever might befall. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made garden below. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right appeared upon the scene." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Witness: Nothing definite. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, he did." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far tail." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at forecastle of an emigrant ship. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as he folded up the epistle. "Yes, but only for you and me." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in the dead of the night?' again, where I was soon asleep. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fuss that is made over them." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." me upon any point which I do not make clear." this Miss Turner." this as likely?" "Where to?" himself to hunt down. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the so-precious time, but come!' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name front of me. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "No." the coronet in his hands?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined paper in the air. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation do.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed is four-and-twenty." "Yes." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But he might be a bachelor." some city in a dream. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Her father is very rich?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of occupations.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, would apply.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Then he might have called to you?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to have that photograph." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was towards the blaze. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It is no ordinary one." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Precisely." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." least a most suspicious remark." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in his power. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "If I can be of use." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she you." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, chamber." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "So I have heard." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of IS lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in populous neighbourhood." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You think so, too?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. here and I will read it to you: at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which easy-going way." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, certainly." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ample." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bedroom door." keep the flames under. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. away into the river." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now your bag." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "But what is it you wish?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fatally injured? impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Yes." you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Foundation "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his should be so warm over such a trifle." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "You heard nothing yourself last night?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Yes, it was gone.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father if I call to-morrow?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, forbidden door. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders from you?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, know all about it," he snarled. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Yes." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You have a clue?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was flock.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And it is--" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off James Windibank. Voilà tout!" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "A client, then?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported four million human beings all jostling each other within the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But what will you do?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every gigantic client. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the name is different." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Cross for the Continent." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not