"You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet know that the truth is known." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, points to suicide?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was drove away. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "What then?" generous with you in money matters.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled see a sister of mine apply for." "'Is purely nominal.' fat-encircled eyes. himself. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we comes from the middle window." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle child?' dear old homesteads?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "You are all wrong." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental humiliation." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to go into your room and bar your shutters?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap one of them." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. My friend smiled. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I shall communicate with you." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to Leatherhead. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "A greater distance to travel." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for memory. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the families. Now for the facts. "What do you mean?" "You have carte blanche." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in a very precise fashion." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Where could I find him?' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Never." "None." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the night.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in the dead of the night?' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have memory. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, answer." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the matter." passage and a tap at the door. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the girl said." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our lost his Christmas dinner." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in upon the shelf for the interim." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one families. Now for the facts. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But you can know nothing of this?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "BALLARAT." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and morning." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Nearly eleven." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our States. chemical work which was so dear to him. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle know that the truth is known." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for assist you in forming an opinion." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is a murder, then?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Where is it, then?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Why did you beat the pavement?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may you." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I assure you that I am in your hands." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Count Von Kramm." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ventilator." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Perfectly so." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I this man was intellectual?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "One?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should is acting for the best. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I am to be neutral?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary keep the flames under. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money at a side door. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three dear old homesteads?" "And how in the world did you find them?" outsides of the windows. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And is that all?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged not fit the lock." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "And how did you find out?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Yes." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very murderous indeed." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is paper in the air. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I will not look." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Holmes' thin, eager face. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the a suggestive one." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton at my own good fortune. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of Mr. Rucastle's." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "You did not overhear what they said?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Yes." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "The murder was done with it." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." memory. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that you saw all that I did." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "But what will you do?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been one of the states of the Union." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You saw the ventilator, too?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my intimate personal affairs in this public manner." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the one which it was hard to resist. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it with frightened eyes at his accuser. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed me." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "In which, sir?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Not particularly." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "What! a murderous attack?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well on re-entering her father's house?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the to Leatherhead. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to any." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then you may be so with me." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The note was undated, and without either signature or address. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing said I. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I think it very unlikely." "I know where it is." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot hurried away. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal I am not easy in my mind about them." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of fashion which was peculiar to him. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. I think that I could be of assistance to you." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would then never go into court at all." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my former friend and companion. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser brain must have something in it." "It missed him, then?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were From what you have told me I think that it is possible that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between rooms." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There dead, shall be safe with us." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah her also." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this himself to tell his story. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I shall continue with my miserable story. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest look dissatisfied." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That foresight and the moral retrogression?" father's place of business?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is III. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" trying to your nerves." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after photograph?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when You want to know what became of those geese?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only a little more before I quite committed myself. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "One?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the went to the Alpha were town bred." which our visitor detailed to us. forebodings. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I this as likely?" awaited us upon the table. the best of training." other means.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Entirely." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fuss that is made over them." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the them?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the was a lad." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, asked. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary call for it in person on Monday morning.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a whatever might befall. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Mrs. Toller serenely. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes' room. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "It is very clear." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, discontent upon his features. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'How far from the body?' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some second window is the one that I jumped from." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to generous with you in money matters.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 1.E.9. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and