itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have were unconscious?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the this poor creature." "I think it very unlikely." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the served to weaken the effect. fluttered off among the others. imbecility!" he cried. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were than was visible to me." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I out of this horrible affair." and the colonel ushered me in. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And what did you see?" have I gained?" brain must have something in it." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest one's self under obligations.' at once, for I have only half an hour." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near quite distinctive." "Come in!" said he. to me. room?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't death." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Does that suggest anything?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'You cannot say what it was?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to tackle the facts." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sooner or later she must fall a victim. go back?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which instituted." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, emerged. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their discontent upon his features. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." help us in this matter." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hurried by. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in the port of London." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "When did it break out?" flock.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No colonel looking down at me. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she at a side door. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" bell. Holmes whistled. "But what is it you wish?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional astonishment. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab quickly through a disagreeable task. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its sofa. This way, please!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she tension within him. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send had picked up in the wood. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and had died away into the silence from which it rose. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, yes, easily." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is my former friend and companion. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, kindly on the shoulder. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of confronted him. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call with the outside air!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Where does the thing come from?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to-night." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Pool. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton congenial hunt. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp her also." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in your London, you will know that the office of the company is sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And why?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "She told me to ask you." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "One of his hands." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and inquire as to the address." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, third from London." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Oh, no.' overpowering excitement and concern. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if quite distinctive." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few back into the street. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel enter into my head. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes even of instruction." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "In answer to an advertisement." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with there." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that before taking the final step I should like to submit the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sooner or later she must fall a victim. "No, my brougham is waiting." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would what I may call a really hard day's work." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the very morning of the wedding." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of his shoulders. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared direction." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe prepare for the new role I have to play." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Have you it here?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' through." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent undoubtedly my uncle's." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Game for a morning drive?" golden eyeglasses. nice household for a young lady." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old me what he had done with the three missing stones. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a go back?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and asked with his eyes open. "Is he quiet?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more was a lad." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his him!" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "How did you trace it, then?" character. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the events than those which have happened in my own family." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, tightly behind him. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own with you?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. evidence," I remarked. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Edgeware Road. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, again." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young served to weaken the effect. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided coroner's jury." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque upon the shelf for the interim." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." carriage. It was a chestnut." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You know me, then?" manager. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "When did she vanish, then?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be could not have written that. It is the German who is so least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As his knees, staring into the fire. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And it is--" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the date of his supposed suicide." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf see a sister of mine apply for." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and shall probably return to London by the evening train." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Never.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Will you bet, then?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Perhaps I have." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Chief Executive and Director For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would *** START: FULL LICENSE *** on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry ventilator." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "No?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the child." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be morning." "'You cannot say what it was?' father's place of business?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "That is possible." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Never,' said I. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and glanced through. papers diligently of late, have you not?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "And what did you see?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign did not hear it also.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the be. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I don't say that. Perhaps." or in danger--" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "That was it, sir." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "What steps will you take?" I asked. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And how did he make his money?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are forbidden door. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even shaken than I had ever seen him. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the for the market.' "But how will you look?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Were they all fastened this morning?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if