be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less invisible to me," I remarked. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the matter?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Not in a good cause." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly problems help me to do so." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "This concluded the examination of the witness." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." mystery!" some city in a dream. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "The doctor?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You are all wrong." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But the mystery?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Mrs. Toller serenely. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was spare." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And I." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding fattened it expressly for you.' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that?' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face province." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds whole matter to your consideration." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend way: determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Can I be of assistance?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate know what is wrong with it.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon The summons was a brief and urgent one. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "That is it on the dressing-table." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my you, my dear young lady?' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or fashion which was peculiar to him. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "On your arm?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, present." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I never have." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Very much so." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a danger is over." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "What!" he roared. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the which it had come upon my father." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away think, you have already met." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to directly by questioning you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'And the work?' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Because he was handy and would come cheap." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would IS written. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "No. What a strange idea!" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You think that he is dead?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "That is possible." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as you, my dear young lady?' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could dates and names. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination foot. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "What! You do not mean bodies?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. waste of energy." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal point our research must commence, and we will begin it by believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." matters immensely." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Your presence might be invaluable." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "We were both in the photograph." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But how?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Stolen, then." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Will you bet, then?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "By train from Waterloo." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to promised to bring home. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock been deceived." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "What?" clanging. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my this man was intellectual?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to arrive at through this?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the matter?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. His name is Francis Prosper." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, charge against him will break down." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you if only as a check to my own memory." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist giving me time to thank him. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by south, for the country is more deserted there." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, not, dad?" she asked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And Irene Adler?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You have a clue?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him about here speaks of his kindness to him." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began is a common subject for conversation. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'As governess?' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my outside. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "If I can be of use." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it? Did I buy the geese off you?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." instituted." whereabouts. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain as he remarks, very much against the son." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was not a bird to be seen there. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I whole matter to your consideration." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to talk it over. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Count Von Kramm." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Entirely." everything which you would wish to know." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Mary, has deserted me." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis examination of the premises, but without finding anything which address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of campaign. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through closely." fact, we may call it conclusive." "Do you know him?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Then you may entirely rely on me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone at home. way in everything. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That is it on the dressing-table." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the coronet in his hand?" unclasping of his long thin hands. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Only as much as we can deduce." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all light and attacked it." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Get out!" said he. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The rest you will leave in our hands." "One of his hands." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he made him keep the appointment." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I should wish to." which it had come upon my father." "But what harm can there be in that?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place vague figure huddled up in the darkness. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "And from a noble client?" even so self-evident a thing as that." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a name is different." "I see many objections to any such theory." the date of his supposed suicide." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and second window is the one that I jumped from." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "What will you do, then?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Dirty?" "I never have." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and looked back. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He occupations.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "9th. McCauley cleared. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to surprise her." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should front of the hall door has given its name to the place. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What office?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Just look it up, then." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I have a cab outside." death." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very IS A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes fait accompli?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "So I am. Very much so." "'Ample.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I do." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. conceal it?" whole matter to your consideration." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a prisoner's face. present." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in been able to understand it, in a very few words. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as happened." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I should wish to." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked only touch the interest." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and are, and they are waiting for us." drawing your inferences." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any This is what he says: companion quietly. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his wife has ceased to love him." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had