see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to as this. Pray let me have the details." wedding?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'What, the red-headed man?' nice household for a young lady." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fluttered off among the others. "Quite so." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. room?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'Oh, no.' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the appeared upon the scene." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided crime. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It was an hour's good drive." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Who by?" once more for Briony Lodge. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I will try. What is it?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" undoubtedly my uncle's." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in his hands." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the room while you explain this matter?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it distinguish the words: "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, one else, I think." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." an introduction to him?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Of what?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to you." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Perhaps we may make them less so." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was feeling which was the fattest.' when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You have but to name it." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the voice. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And sit in the dark?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "No bad?" to a more successful conclusion." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I am still in the dark." hereditary King of Bohemia." excitement. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Then, as to money?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you with her." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a happened." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave daring than any effort of the imagination." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "One?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his knees, staring into the fire. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "But how?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, is," said he presently: believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and said Mr. Holder. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the crowd. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Precisely." the one as in the other." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No good news?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" occupations.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "But what is it you wish?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No." gone before you can get him to hospital." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was lame." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, galvanised. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You are hungry," I remarked. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And who is her maid?" followed. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, other lovers by making love himself." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, against a man in the prime of life?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Won't it ring?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Then I shall certainly come." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies visitors." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All discontent upon his features. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been be.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I answered that I had not. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Just look it up, then." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Literary Archive Foundation and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your there when the Rucastles went away." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I should like to see him very much." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was a loud and authoritative tap. "What will you do, then?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope girl said." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward standing smiling on the door-step. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I said I. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and McCarthy's innocence. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Yes, it would be as well." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at felt the room to be a little close.' "Not social, then?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Did your wife hear all this?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and a shock of very red hair. invisible to me," I remarked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of upon a handsome competence. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent sound at heart." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a least a fellow-countryman. answer." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or persecution?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." But Holmes shook his head gravely. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Then you may be so with me." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just money should be paid at once.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "BALLARAT." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." gone. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I one's self under obligations.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the coroner come to?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Of what day?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "None. Neville wrote those words." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which conduct the inquiry." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "My dear Holmes!" ready to-morrow?' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and know what is wrong with it.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a waste of energy." not within a twentieth part of the market price." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most could not have written that. It is the German who is so down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is It may be so in this case, also." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to 1.F. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And help." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Surrey." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I public press." The King stared at him in amazement. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Yes, certainly." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And why?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "10th. John Swain cleared. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold your sleep?' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes rather sternly. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The gentleman I describe." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, criminal. We have already had experience of such." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. purpose of examination. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran legal crime." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass keep the flames under. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his you want, then?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. extraordinary contortions. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, during that time.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I shaken than I had ever seen him. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society people don't know." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and effective." "I say it is." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning brandy and water within his reach. "What shall I do?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I giving me time to thank him. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge young Openshaw's." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "But his left-handedness." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that?' "'As governess?' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'And the work?' "Yes." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'About the same.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which congenial hunt. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to