answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." is," said he presently: blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay fait accompli?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Perhaps I have." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the about here speaks of his kindness to him." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire him!" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you in yours." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went made his money." you give your casting vote to?" "Very. But will he see it?" is four-and-twenty." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." your own bird, so if you wish--" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three followed. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Yes." writer." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "He is dead," cried several voices. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I help us in this matter." breakfast?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ways of our fellow-men." invisible to me," I remarked. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Married! When?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact in his hands." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed village inn over there?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who suspect him." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Witness: It was. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Stolen." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the tragedy. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his voice. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That also I could fathom." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" forbidden door. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the gone. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to you." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached flock.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "A thing like a cleaver," said he. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you, my dear young lady?' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I do." nonsense.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "How did you deduce the select?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, arrangements." to Leatherhead. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "That is possible." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to from you?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows believe that I should never have any practice at all. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." business." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "The landlord of the Alpha." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I was afraid that you were engaged." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project upon the shelf for the interim." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to-night's adventure." come either from the window or the door. My attention was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, he did." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I strength in the others." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any think, you have already met." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Your presence might be invaluable." upon a handsome competence. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes seen the man in the road." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the bottom.' "I am about to be married." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him chamber." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Not particularly." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Absolutely?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "On your arm?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Holmes rather sternly. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage astonishment. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to his chemical studies. this as likely?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, keep the flames under. at my remark. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with if I call to-morrow?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to key of the affair now." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to throat." peculiar to him. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son several quiet little villages up there." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern waste of energy." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on emerged. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I cannot imagine." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out ways of our fellow-men." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' appeal." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. III. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Miss Holder?" outsides of the windows. have established a very serious case against the son of the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' security.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to once more to my work. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the date of his supposed suicide." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange furiously. ago." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Yes." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he him and tried to hold him back. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Nothing." carriage. It was a chestnut." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone people in all walks of life. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he see a sister of mine apply for." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over for and were ordered to this address. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no any." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Was your sister dressed?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pound a week." morning." will he say when he returns?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yesterday." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a own family. "But how?" there has been an enclosure here!" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment get her out of the way." security.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I was sure that I might rely on you." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to that open window." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to death." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my not interfere, come what may. You understand?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter *** START: FULL LICENSE *** There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and annoyance, but no jest. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon introspective fashion. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. cigars in the box." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard case before our client came into the room." address. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the only touch the interest." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Why that?' I asks. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs tied." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Sutherland?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Where to?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Pray do so." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ways including including checks, online payments and credit card As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus conclusions. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what his face which made him a very different person to the round, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil any little problem which you may submit to me." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double this unhappy family?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his bonnet, and went out." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And is that all?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five past. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute salesman. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "VIOLET HUNTER." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly like gravel from a pit.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "If so, much may have happened between." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Where, then, is my wife?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I guessed as much." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'What would be the hours?' I asked. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you speckled band?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I nodded again. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it fattened it expressly for you.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that happened." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the What do you deduce from it?" "Then I shall certainly come." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I see no marks." the matter." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the