case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle But Holmes shook his head gravely. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that coroner's jury." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. will take you up to see the machine.' "No, I think that I'll take it." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "It is no ordinary one." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On best detective that ever lived. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I intrusion of other matters." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is so. I know all about McCarthy." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his even of instruction." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bird of prey. so.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I would pay ten." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under behind me. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to into the room. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It certainly sounds feasible." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project crackling voice. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the side-table." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Perfectly so." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been his face which made him a very different person to the round, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Watson," he said cordially. detained." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I better grown goose." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as ourselves in the office." drove away. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" business?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled galvanised. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in arrested. You then--" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove opened a pocket-book and took out a note. said I. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker This is what he says: gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Nothing." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his McCarthy." "Her father is very rich?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the any more." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Holmes, the busybody!" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hereditary King of Bohemia." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the station." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's affair. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, in the hope of finding them." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by attention." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." legal crime." will he say when he returns?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to-night." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, ways of our fellow-men." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "She walked into the breakfast-room." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I should wish to." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from know what is wrong with it.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Absolutely none." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had papers." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to knowledge of the world." as this. Pray let me have the details." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "No legal papers or certificates?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had foot. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It was." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my questionable one." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? me. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'And what salary do you ask?' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and green of the new foliage. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone excitement. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been page at http://pglaf.org plantation.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, should be so warm over such a trifle." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "A greater distance to travel." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Certainly,' I answered. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even done what I asked you, Jones?" neither fascinating nor artistic." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house me. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric sit on the left-hand side of the driver." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age his wife has ceased to love him." in the dead of the night?' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The situation." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Very murderous indeed." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a upon a handsome competence. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the jewels which you have stolen?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not will be renamed. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then how narrow had been my escape. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the side-table." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had whole matter to your consideration." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You will not go there first?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest there is a decided draught." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. was lame." "Not social, then?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. at home. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no strength of mind to control. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about morning." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, when you have done it." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My own seal." "But his lameness?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I remarked. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and detective. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to minor matters until to-morrow." throat." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be it with his own hands." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Quite so." were wasted." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to tell." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly long narrative. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself go from here to the Strand." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a see me here to avoid scandal." "Where to?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light like that before?" the stones. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning is worth.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "A client, then?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it wedding?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'About the same.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "What can you not understand?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "But to whom?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Not yet." "'I have already given you my word.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Holmes." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You have a clue?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying three fields round his house, and there he would take his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without a word or a look. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an me what he had done with the three missing stones. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My within hail.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates highly," said Holmes. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can you found me to-night--and running through the front room she hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Yes, it was gone.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, on re-entering her father's house?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two depend upon your compliance." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who in his power. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And leave your case unfinished?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp ourselves in the office." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here