beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled held up the lantern and gazed about him. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes." wedding?" affection." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And your father? Did you tell him?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." II. place no limit on the sum I may draw." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet everything which you would wish to know." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bore every mark of being an average commonplace British morning." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, might have a private word with us. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows over here." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'There is a drive, then?' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the kindly on the shoulder. "I see no marks." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the night.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I emerged. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, if she died from some sudden fright." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It surprised me." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people seem to you to be relevant or not." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I highroad, where all traces were lost. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I What do you deduce from it?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in him." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his once more for Briony Lodge. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the will be renamed. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a suggestive one." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the matter?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, became a certainty. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an do.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Countess of Morcar's?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in me what he had done with the three missing stones. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing lips." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them would then never go into court at all." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from experiences." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What will you do, then?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been bearing upon the case." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking a monotonous occupation." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may some city in a dream. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you?' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And leave your case unfinished?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his nonsense.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to his chemical studies. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke joking. meanly of me." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited which our visitor detailed to us. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold matters immensely." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for garden below. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Texas, I think." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too said he. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "The best possible." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was not, dad?" she asked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and bears upon the case?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Only as much as we can deduce." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty fluttered off among the others. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I shall continue with my miserable story. imbecility!" he cried. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "None." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, this as likely?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran done what I asked you, Jones?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' key of the affair now." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter characteristics, but those are the more obvious." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front remarked. "By all means." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Not yet." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "That is also quite modern," said the lady. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This companion quietly. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know American. Then who could this American be, and why should he If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Farm upon the left." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a crime." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed address. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was already answered. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that himself to tell his story. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were strength of mind to control. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the loss of it. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you yourselves in at night?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which yourselves in at night?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "None." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the it means?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Stolen, then." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as made his money." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook woman." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the side-table." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies prison!" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "In which, sir?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Countess of Morcar's?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of your Highness to the police-station?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as mystery." "What I expected to see." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the me where it went to?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "He slept on the premises." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes strength." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which rooms." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean minor matters until to-morrow." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the matter." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Entirely.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Pope's Court, Fleet Street." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "So I am. Very much so." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Certainly." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination considering the formidable letters which were received by himself absorbing." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings third from London." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious But Holmes shook his head gravely. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the habit of advancing money.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Where, indeed?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but noting anything else of interest. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Not particularly." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "You were travelling in the States?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely made his money." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the driver. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face past. three fields round his house, and there he would take his lips." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out must compliment you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." is," said he presently: whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion standing smiling on the door-step. letters?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year front of me. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken that I can to serve you." were wasted." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many roused himself from his reverie. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Deserted you?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was not a bird to be seen there. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Which dealer's?' to a more successful conclusion." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been mysterious end." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a father's place of business?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and secret." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Holmes' face clouded over. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Precisely." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' be.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "What I expected to see." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "But his left-handedness." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that I am arrested." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "No, distinctly professional." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot might have a private word with us. III. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Yes, but only for you and me." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now