fishes. bled considerably." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could heavy and sharp instrument." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Sutherland?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a suggestive one." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I was sure that I might rely on you." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to into the bag, and made for the door. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "At half-wages, in fact." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "No, I had a dozen." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' crackling voice. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Was she in good spirits?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Not particularly." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the nonsense.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office enter into my head. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced him to go away.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the window, rose as we entered. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case been with you?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And sit in the dark?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush when you have done it." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. learned something! Where are the gems?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the shoulder; "he's all right." wedding?" lamp. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one strength." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "But what harm can there be in that?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. The summons was a brief and urgent one. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Lestrade of Scotland Yard." dead, shall be safe with us." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which closely." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. as this. Pray let me have the details." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What will you do, then?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your digesting their breakfasts at home." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "What will you say?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of over part of the map. "What do you read?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Yes, I promise.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. October 9, 1890. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "9th. McCauley cleared. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hardly wander." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that he will be back before evening." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Your presence might be invaluable." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met must be when I saw the door open.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, think you a quite exceptional woman." to talk it over. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in row." "'Is purely nominal.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two digesting their breakfasts at home." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Where did he live, then?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the morning and make my own way in the world.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes." "It came here." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It is no ordinary one." the coroner come to?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Then the page we have seen--" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "So I have heard." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a think that any burglar could have done. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "How did you trace it, then?" conclusions. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now for and were ordered to this address. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to directly by questioning you." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "But to whom?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is for its centre. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that he will be back before evening." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." case before our client came into the room." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. your Highness to the police-station?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an telegram would bring me down to your help." "Pray continue your narrative." "What! a murderous attack?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, tear off another piece?' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "That you are never beaten." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But I am all in the dark." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to you." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock locked." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here beyond words. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is have I gained?" had this final quarrel? "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second pound a week." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us tear off another piece?' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned you came in." there." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, carried out of court." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before the coroner and the police-court." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "And the cigar-holder?" "It is possible." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this obstinate." so far?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "None. Neville wrote those words." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous too. away into the river." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fled together." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' as this. Pray let me have the details." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a soul! here is her carriage at the door." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat went to the Alpha were town bred." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "At the wedding breakfast." "'What then?' I asked. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper more terrible than the truth. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Serpentine Avenue. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Yes. He waved his hands." it." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a started for the Temple to see my husband. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the which our visitor detailed to us. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from business matters.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'You cannot say what it was?' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to arrested. You then--" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of his huge brown hands. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he use an arc-and-compass breastpin." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, if I call to-morrow?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that there was nothing in it, after all." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Never,' said I. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom think that he is innocent?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." heavily into it. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap hour." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But we can't all be." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "My stepfather's business papers." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her