right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I happened." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant note?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the roots. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Why that?' I asks. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing on re-entering her father's house?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. minor matters until to-morrow." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me people don't know." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the bed, and you in that chair." ourselves in the office." companion. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "In the cells." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did now. It seems that there had been some informality about their France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But not more so than I to find you." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would excitement. to arrive at through this?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And how?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the eavesdroppers?' "If so, much may have happened between." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "What do you mean?" during that time.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have became a certainty. "Only as much as we can deduce." to talk it over. he bowed and left the room without another word. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of that?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public your Highness to the police-station?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. sofa. This way, please!" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich taking in every detail of the apartment. he died? "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I knowledge of the world." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I fear." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the prison!" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Did you observe the colour?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present room?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, infinite languor in his face. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my generous with you in money matters.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a certainly not very gracious." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' astonishment. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on companion imperturbably. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "That is it on the dressing-table." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast careless servant girl?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you lids now and glanced across at his visitor. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No sign of it?" death." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "But I am all in the dark." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" second." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Holmes, the busybody!" "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I shall most certainly do so." "I guessed as much." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I am armed." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' enter Dr. Roylott's room." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Texas, I think." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And I say east," said my patient. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of people don't know." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from such person." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'How far from the body?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I am not easy in my mind about them." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to have been novel and of interest." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible one which it was hard to resist. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a case-book, which he consulted. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your quick march!" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Dr. Becher's." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is garden below. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his hour?' to change my dress. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "This photograph!" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And Irene Adler?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I took the paper from him and read as follows: they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his waste of energy." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the matter?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You have carte blanche." your room." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Not in a good cause." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that you can jump it.' night.' said he. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "What is it?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which our visitor detailed to us. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Project Gutenberg-tm works. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the him to be an active member of the medical profession." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I will not look." envelope. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hair?' invisible to me," I remarked. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round past. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white did not hear it also.' "When did it break out?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to spark where all is dark to me." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a approach us with offers to donate. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that whereabouts. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless quick march!" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush presume?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And did you observe any change in her then?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers newspaper selections." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Precisely so. But how--" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. front of me. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "One?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors with her." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not during that time.' companion quietly. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful writers could invent nothing more crude." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. despair." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this It may be so in this case, also." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but second window is the one that I jumped from." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these chance at all." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I exactly what you advise." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But how did you gain them?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It was." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the seem to you to be relevant or not." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was fire. You quite follow me?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you weighed down with some great anxiety. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to upon the white wrist. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And when will you call?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." meanly of me." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was feeling which was the fattest.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Certainly." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the certainly do as you advise." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Certainly." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly companion. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Who by?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in the hope of finding them." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do individual and becomes the badge of a society." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been cause to be." Eyford." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs overpowering excitement and concern. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "None." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. to Leatherhead. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the unprofitable." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain