"I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "9th. McCauley cleared. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It is possible." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And I." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his something of him before." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to surprise her." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven would then never go into court at all." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Never,' said I. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Entirely.' "Have you her photograph?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the here." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" rose-bushes. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all observed. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the mysterious end." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "An accident, I presume?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two started for the Temple to see my husband. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a showing my impatience. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "The murder was done with it." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. at home. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging occupations.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow weapon." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And the cigar-holder?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You have the photograph?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." are, and they are waiting for us." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had died away into the silence from which it rose. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But not more so than I to find you." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Sutherland?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fire. You quite follow me?" you." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to a more successful conclusion." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving forebodings. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But who is he?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that when you have done it." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me throat." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "A client, then?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, giving me time to thank him. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "One of his hands." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" as he folded up the epistle. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Holmes rather sternly. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I friend's singular character. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." national property. I was determined that the law should have its A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending seen the man in the road." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It came here." a room. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and I shall communicate with you." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Dark enough and sinister enough." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I cannot imagine." was lame." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have unprecedented a position." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an ashen face. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well tell me that you intended to go into harness." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I am sure." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider where we are going." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the answer." "When did she vanish, then?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Ten will be early enough." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was stepfather?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I should wish to." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" wedding?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I warn you that they are very incomplete." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace McCarthy's innocence. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of this gang." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my charged with?" was a loud and authoritative tap. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Then you may entirely rely on me." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Where, indeed?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Leave Paddington by the 11:15." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Well, some hundreds of times." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful this man was intellectual?" "And from a noble client?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I am still in the dark." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: fear." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague silent! Oh, he will be silent!' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Where is it, then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fattened it expressly for you.' "Nothing?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Then the page we have seen--" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands yet." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The 1.E.9. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but me. You must get home instantly and act." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the man. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his is acting for the best. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs introspective fashion. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You have but to name it." if only as a check to my own memory." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I have my revolver," said I. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes, it was twisted." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior forecastle of an emigrant ship. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of it with the greatest attention. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "He might." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" room. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and that he would see to anything that turned up. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid bore every mark of being an average commonplace British states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Gutenberg-tm License. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Then I am your man." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "And that is--" started for the Temple to see my husband. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy you do it in twenty minutes!' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to made his money." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and salesman. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very business at Coburg Square is serious." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead him!" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly where we are going." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was miles off. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE me where it went to?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And you can do nothing until then?" one of the states of the Union." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Yes, sir.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at DAMAGE. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in IS "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hopeless attempt at recovering them." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And the cigar-holder?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "In heaven's name, what for?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my down. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his