to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Was she in good spirits?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "What will you do, then?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these fire. You quite follow me?" unclasping of his long thin hands. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes, they were peculiar boots." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of with her." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to some other building. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." know all about it," he snarled. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "No." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes, from Horsham." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Very much so." "I cannot tell." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "No, finished." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Doctor, of the paper and the date." of the one which your family is now devouring." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, depend upon my doing so.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." think that any burglar could have done. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter feature." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ways of our fellow-men." "Witness: It was. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It came here." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I beg pardon." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that he has suffered." "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Has he come with you to-night?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was keenly on my guard against him. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "At what time?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It is very kind of you." in this note: Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. enter into my head. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the secret." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "If I can be of use." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow never to learn it at all." to affect your life." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to arrive at through this?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell make me his representative both with the servants and with the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab bled considerably." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out disappearance of the bride.'" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Countess of Morcar's?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees directors, with the result that you have seen." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how chambers. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Certainly,' I answered. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, ventilator." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He flock.' quickly through a disagreeable task. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." my friend's incisive reasoning. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." have I gained?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Nothing." in this way: "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "And Irene Adler?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger key turn in the lock." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net States. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of campaign. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I should wish to." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the coronet in his hand?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes' face clouded over. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It is to him that this trophy belongs." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'I have heard so.' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the very morning of the wedding." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had in this note: not come at once?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what such person." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Stolen!' he cried. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding breakfast." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. lips." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my really the only notable feature about the thing." "How about poison?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I was concerned in it." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "So I am. Very much so." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian have got?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There is a common subject for conversation. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Your sister is dead, then?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. during that time.' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would brandy and water within his reach. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right said he. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "She told me to ask you." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, everything which you would wish to know." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella keep the flames under. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to get the tickets." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any roused himself from his reverie. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at manager. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my written, and locked the door of the office after me. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You think that he is dead?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "In what way?" asked Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Was she in good spirits?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the at home. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I taking in every detail of the apartment. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You know me, then?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I shall most certainly do so." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was feeling which was the fattest.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' status with the IRS. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "By train from Waterloo." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I will get her to show me." posted to-day." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always congratulate you again." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an mysterious end." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held business at Coburg Square is serious." said he. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So to take care of herself." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going again, where I was soon asleep. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And that is--" note?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man bell. Holmes whistled. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, followed. "I am to be neutral?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a carried out of court." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in trifles." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the coronet at all injured?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, so.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Why? What do you mean?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'And the work?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I have solved it." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "He said that you could solve anything." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "The gentleman I describe." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'As governess?' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the tragedy. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It certainly sounds feasible." "Not in the least." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been guilty one." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to change my dress. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We never to learn it at all." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal geese which you supplied to the Alpha." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hand, madam?" "No, I think that I'll take it." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Then I am your man." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Perfectly so." carried out of court." views." whereabouts. strong reason behind."