suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. DISSOLVED. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this begun to whiten, even as mine has." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Not in a good cause." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "How long did she speak to this Alice?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked affection." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first second window is the one that I jumped from." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father has little to do with my story." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to a more successful conclusion." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every south, for the country is more deserted there." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then I can wait in the next room." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy security.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "If so, much may have happened between." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations late." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently works. See paragraph 1.E below. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant telegram would bring me down to your help." "An enemy?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked trying to your nerves." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. forehead. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'And what salary do you ask?' "Was your sister dressed?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem depend upon your compliance." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "We were both in the photograph." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and no precautions can guard against." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most for the market.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He that I may have something better before very many minutes are wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "What do you make of that, Watson?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Is he quiet?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is important." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until not interfere, come what may. You understand?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I leave." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'And what salary do you ask?' "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an she used." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such front of the hall door has given its name to the place. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, do." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements he. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Holmes' face clouded over. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black him to go away.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in the hope of finding them." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Where could I find him?' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the coronet in his hand?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes, sir." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No. His orders were to stay in the house." approach us with offers to donate. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the south-west, I see." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the ceiling. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get crackling voice. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too to miss it." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue them?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this little trying to do so much typewriting?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over hour." "I cannot imagine." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." this poor creature." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of through." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point as the one I chose?' "And sit in the dark?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible place no limit on the sum I may draw." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to you." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But you can know nothing of this?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the bird of prey. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "He said too much." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing matter." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, she used." and wait." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have I gained?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'As governess?' never to learn it at all." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Yes, it would be as well." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And what then?" "Precisely." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I obstinate." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." my former friend and companion. been with you?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their with you alone." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as ashen face. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from evidence," I remarked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "When did she vanish, then?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some strode off upon his way. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in highly," said Holmes. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout laugh and put his lips to my ear. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. rose-bushes. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He you." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little speckled band?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I fear not." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'I shall certainly be there.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "And why in hopes?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most disturbance in my wife." business?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat even so self-evident a thing as that." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed had this final quarrel? pierced for earrings?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has cheerful." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "My dear Holmes!" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." soul! here is her carriage at the door." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever strength of mind to control. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it? Did I buy the geese off you?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong horse could go." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at several quiet little villages up there." His smile broadened. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. such person." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Nothing?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over where she found matters as described by the last witness. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The vanishing of the lady." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the formed some opinion?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And how in the world did you find them?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the DAMAGE. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "What can you not understand?" breakfast." ashen face. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which