out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" my special province." bled considerably." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste true." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." putting in the horse. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the coroner come to?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. respectable self." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It is his hat." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the devil!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I will get her to show me." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who disturbance in my wife." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time strength in the others." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she threw himself down with his face to the pillow. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His better grown goose." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. shaken than I had ever seen him. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fluttered off among the others. "'Never.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he died? safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes, he did." it were putty." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down at home. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, at the mines." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. his fortune, and I went back to pa. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the detained." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the Assizes." "But how will you look?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a new duties?' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Thank you. Pray proceed." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "And you thought he was pulled back?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my former friend and companion. Holmes rather sternly. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer been shamefully used." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "An enemy?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do most interesting one." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall said he. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And I." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No, thank goodness, she did not." "You have carte blanche." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I am sure." fashion which was peculiar to him. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in events than those which have happened in my own family." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Nothing." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And your mother is alive?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been affection." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made allusion to a rat. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But of what society?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that he will be back before evening." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And now?" I asked. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Who was the criminal, then?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and I shall be with you presently." know all about it," he snarled. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "What will you do, then?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the way in." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the there is a decided draught." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "What, then?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. roused himself from his reverie. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." one of the states of the Union." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick asked. strong reason behind." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Did you become engaged then?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend all?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. business came to an end." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Sholtos." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight place of silver." returning from some small jollification and was making his way hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" call for it in person on Monday morning.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers wedding?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you will he say when he returns?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gone. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And Irene Adler?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I will not look." "She will not sell." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal already referred to. were wasted." "He said too much." come either from the window or the door. My attention was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his said Mr. Holder. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of allusion to a rat. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Mrs. Toller serenely. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has answered with a sidelong glance. cost them two and thirty pounds." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. highroad, where all traces were lost. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face rose-bushes. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you, my dear young lady?' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Literary Archive Foundation was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and looked back. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Nothing?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten my friend's incisive reasoning. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "He said that you could solve anything." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a peculiar to him. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of into the room. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them here." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Where, then, is my wife?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Not particularly." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I late." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. enough to aid us in our search." wall." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, manager. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera very morning of my second wedding." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of status with the IRS. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you should be so warm over such a trifle." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's himself to hunt down. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Pray do so." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then your equipment. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Just look it up, then." III. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a have had none more fantastic than this." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He beg that you will break it off." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "BALLARAT." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I cannot imagine." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. do.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. situation." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "The doctor?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I direction." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most again." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Not him." you give your casting vote to?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was lame." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and indeed happy." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Stolen, then." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to affect your life." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the less than 26s. 4d. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these must be when I saw the door open.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through must be when I saw the door open.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Pray do so." "Get out!" said he. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Absolutely?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he a very grave face. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his States. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked This is what he says: