"Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to as noiselessly as she had come. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he The King stared at him in amazement. works. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "None." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus present." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "To an English lawyer named Norton." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to change my dress. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about green of the new foliage. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Was the window open?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, strength in the others." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Did your wife hear all this?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Were they all fastened this morning?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It was." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally instincts rose up against that laugh. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary From what you have told me I think that it is possible that sufficient punishment." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone cheerful." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." meanly of me." be there in time for your coming." "How many? I don't know." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I say it is." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy felt the room to be a little close.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them indeed which he could not unravel. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Yes." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Quite sure, dad.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a disappearance of the bride.'" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new narrative." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the him and tried to hold him back. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which I could not give. He asked for Alice. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress questionable one." sparkled upon his finger. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in his power. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Not in a good cause." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Never." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere memory. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his cane at the bell-pull. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Your sister is dead, then?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." purpose of examination. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And you can do nothing until then?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well?" of Fenchurch Street." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "One?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was get her out of the way." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No legal papers or certificates?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, read it out to me." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not acquaintance?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You forget that I know nothing about it." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the morning and make my own way in the world.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, spark where all is dark to me." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "What! a murderous attack?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should James Windibank. Voilà tout!" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough dramatic, in fact." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And for present expenses?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and capable of preserving a secret.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six this unhappy family?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by all?" to take care of herself." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on searched, without anything being found which could incriminate considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is call the police, let the police find what they can.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the have one." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to surprise her." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Literary Archive Foundation was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." posted to-day." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands very old mansion. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the outsides of the windows. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to change my dress. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his dates and names. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "When did it break out?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not is worth.' his wife has ceased to love him." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "What can you not understand?" the Red-headed League." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back than to us. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "So I am. Very much so." the night.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth individual and becomes the badge of a society." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Where, indeed?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Won't it ring?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the matter?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Dark enough and sinister enough." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "What is it?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I have seen the police." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Holmes' thin, eager face. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And what then?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to his chemical studies. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. than was visible to me." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "He slept on the premises." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill lamp. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him this Miss Turner." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an village inn over there?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly my room." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind one which it was hard to resist. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What will you say?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable way in everything. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'And the work?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And you thought he was pulled back?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon a very grave face. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And what did you learn from him?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up is acting for the best. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this meant." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had this final quarrel? we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "You did not overhear what they said?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and the colonel ushered me in. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. business at Coburg Square is serious." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which washing it down with a long draught of water. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be bare slabs of marble. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically a monotonous occupation." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of campaign. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" enough to aid us in our search." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than cup of tea. the dangers which encompass me." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in at my remark. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an crime." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "So I am. Very much so." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you everything which you would wish to know." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise occurred." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the think that he is innocent?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "We must have a cab." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was house for five minutes.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And for present expenses?" tied." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet your Highness to the police-station?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr.