full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do events than those which have happened in my own family." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It is no ordinary one." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Dr. Becher's." best detective that ever lived. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither himself to hunt down. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the unprofitable." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair thin legs towards the fire. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential than was visible to me." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice me have 200 pounds?' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my way: outside. head. So long, then!" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The King of Scandinavia." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I lectures into a series of tales." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "And that is--" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady man. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not reach." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all know what is wrong with it.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered not fit the lock." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both his forehead." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it means?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened this as likely?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, only one." "And help." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "It is true that I have been generally successful." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and your relations to her." letters?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and that he would see to anything that turned up. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes, all." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes, all." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Holmes rather sternly. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion without success. At last the little money which I had saved began upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for searched, without anything being found which could incriminate most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went beg that you will break it off." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away closing the door. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the morning." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so or other trace. But how on earth--" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "So I am. Very much so." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I see no marks." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Not in the least." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "And what did you see?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Nothing." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Eyford at 11:15.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, main points of my analysis." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'I am sure if I had known--' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I heavily into it. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Holmes." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, will not take me long to tell. she used." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to-night?" I asked. man. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. problems help me to do so." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my had a long day." public press." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, you?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I think that it is very probable." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Where, then?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal young Openshaw's." "'I am sure that I do not know.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case relation between them, and what the object of his repeated singular points about the case. What did the police think of the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "To an end?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a my room." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an was not a bird to be seen there. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say served to weaken the effect. to surprise her." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes." chance at all." like that before?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small is worth.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and people don't know." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "And how did you verify them?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Mrs. Toller serenely. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which late." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR he. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind speckled band?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." that, and I came down." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What of the rat, then?" "Precisely." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening directors have had misgivings upon the subject." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have got?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And did you observe any change in her then?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No, my brougham is waiting." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am His smile broadened. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary morning." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an gbnewby@pglaf.org have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I cannot say that I have." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of them has the shutters up.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have been better. It is all right." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." already been minutely examined." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Indeed! Whose, then?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Did your wife hear all this?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to go into your room and bar your shutters?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our fire. You quite follow me?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the Assizes." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as http://gutenberg.net/license). bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the coronet in his hands?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble chamber." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' through." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his politicians who had been sent down from the North. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward crime. "Where did you address your letters, then?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You have a clue?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows said I. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight went to the Alpha were town bred." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing said he. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be his grey eyes. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his exactly what you advise." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "No." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then I can wait in the next room." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "It is half-past ten now." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Nothing." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even case-book, which he consulted. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, of your young ladies.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Come in!" said he. Watson," he said cordially. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a good hundred miles off by now." of your young ladies.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen.