platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment himself in a perplexing position. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I say that I have solved it." you for a few hours?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "So it appears." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See You want to know what became of those geese?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "My own seal." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram directly by questioning you." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was arrangements." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I your sleep?' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the crowd. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, know that the truth is known." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." past. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and drawing your inferences." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what it." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "So I have heard." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Quite so." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to http://www.gutenberg.net the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and situation." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Munro.' "What then?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I am sure." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Did you observe the colour?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "None. Neville wrote those words." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," right! Sit down and let us talk it over." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my kindly on the shoulder. lips." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." shall use the carriage to-night." jewels which you have stolen?' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Never." "What are they?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long friends, not even his own brother. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the anything to do with the matter?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and status with the IRS. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would directly by questioning you." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is to him that this trophy belongs." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some cigar and let me expound." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "But I am all in the dark." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt best detective that ever lived. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other case before our client came into the room." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. DAMAGE. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and careless servant girl?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. existence." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we certainly do as you advise." hour." it." room?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Did he not advertise?" certainly do as you advise." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project better in every way that they should make their position a little which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last over part of the map. "What do you read?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a ordinary clothes on?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the be.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a stood on the top of it. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the becomes even more simple." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William country, and eventually married, without anyone having a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Look there!" said he. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to wanted for ourselves." prisoner's face. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "By no means." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is half-past ten now." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name is acting for the best. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the tragedy. "What will you say?" is four-and-twenty." vault. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Count Von Kramm." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yes. He waved his hands." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it be sorry for having acted so harshly." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and affection." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful I think that I could be of assistance to you." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes." "Yes, it was twisted." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I roused himself from his reverie. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I am armed." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers just called myself is not exactly my own." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the house with me." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round But Holmes shook his head gravely. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the chambers. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bird of prey. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making out of this horrible affair." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and I shall be with you presently." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit me upon any point which I do not make clear." know what is wrong with it.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'What are you doing there?' he asked. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the character. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see it right.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." really the only notable feature about the thing." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; is a common subject for conversation. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "How did you deduce the select?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. one else, I think." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the His name is Francis Prosper." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down forbidden door. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." them?" bird I ate is country bred." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I cannot imagine." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Holmes, the busybody!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark business at Coburg Square is serious." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I cannot tell." "Precisely." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right are, and they are waiting for us." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some voice. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall girl said." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Miss Holder?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to presume?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of congratulate you again." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour I held the little printed slip to the light. go from here to the Strand." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to change my dress. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old at my own good fortune. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "You forget that I know nothing about it." keep the flames under. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Seven!" I answered. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of constraint." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. maid will bring up your coffee." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in hand, madam?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed is so. I know all about McCarthy." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ventilator." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And you don't know his address?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my companion imperturbably. him and tried to hold him back. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in this way: and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, undoubtedly my uncle's." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the McCarthy's innocence. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered all that?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in darkness. "'It is locked up,' I answered. footfalls from the street. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that?' bill, which interests me deeply." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, roused himself from his reverie. "That also I could fathom." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that I can to serve you." papers must be those that are destroyed.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I am following you closely," I answered. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the on re-entering her father's house?" "I was mad--insane." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I say it is." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out affection." himself to tell his story. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I shall be delighted." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Holmes." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "At half-wages, in fact." be there in time for your coming." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "How can you tell that?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. himself. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Was he the only applicant?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up