old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were appointment with me for six o'clock?" in this note: that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'I am sure that I do not know.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Yes, from Horsham." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Doctor, of the paper and the date." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I have it here in my museum." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul examine." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to matter." waste of energy." strength." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the weapon." certainly not very gracious." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and that he would see to anything that turned up. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope investigation." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Nothing?" "And the cigar-holder?" back into the street. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "My stepfather's business papers." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And did you observe any change in her then?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Look there!" said he. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the not fit the lock." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, side. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled companion quietly. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I am armed." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read have not had my rubber." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "One?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded information in his hands the value of which he did not himself were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Yes. He waved his hands." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George you for a few hours?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Why, what do you mean?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, charged with?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sneer upon his pale face. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But how did you gain them?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads most important business. It is probable that he will be away all London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such correct than the official force." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Always." "You have the photograph?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since dead, shall be safe with us." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, are windows in it, of course?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, whether it answered to the description of any of their may never be exposed to such a temptation." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a DISSOLVED. them?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of as this. Pray let me have the details." "To the police?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door official police." DAMAGE. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for DISSOLVED. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton laugh and put his lips to my ear. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Eh? What was that?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be place, I think that there is good ground to think that the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing very old mansion. "But not more so than I to find you." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window call it cruel." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the conclusions. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and plantation.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes, certainly." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to-morrow." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" said he at last. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between matter." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that less than 26s. 4d. than was visible to me." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about anything to do with the matter?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Was the window open?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "One?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious exactly what you advise." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No, finished." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to go into your room and bar your shutters?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had breakfast." reach." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Whose house is it?" "Nothing?" questionable one." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think again, where I was soon asleep. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Very much so." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me fashion which was peculiar to him. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "What do you make of that, Watson?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'I have heard so.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain papers." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Seven!" I answered. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at not use it unless it is absolutely needed." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The summons was a brief and urgent one. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see observed. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. hardly wander." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said said he. room. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. carried out of court." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made prison!" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to mystery." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But how?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What can it mean?" I gasped. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my to that open window." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hard-headed British jury." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the nursery. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bird of prey. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an shoulder; "he's all right." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are nice household for a young lady." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand wanted for ourselves." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "How did he come?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." The King stared at him in amazement. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's bird I ate is country bred." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing politicians who had been sent down from the North. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "What steps will you take?" I asked. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Why serious?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very so far?" the warnings." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "It was a confession," I ejaculated. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled