I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his eyes and forehead. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes, from Horsham." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then business." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was you understand?" "He slept on the premises." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "What are they?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural colour had been driven from his face. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as yours." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." him." train.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have solved it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "My own seal." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Very truly yours, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing unprecedented a position." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "You have the photograph?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his easy-going way." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its affair. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to a light-house. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Stoke Moran." ceremony." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland made him keep the appointment." some terrible trap for her." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as anything to do with the matter?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I cannot tell." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "That sounds a little paradoxical." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the roused himself from his reverie. "And from a noble client?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying than to us. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and the church but not where the lady lived." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of exactly what you advise." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, it is a possible supposition." It may be so in this case, also." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I beg pardon." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel forebodings. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And you can do nothing until then?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "And how in the world did you find them?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Who was the criminal, then?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the very morning of the wedding." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord like gravel from a pit.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are as yours." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Here?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big will take you up to see the machine.' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Is purely nominal.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hour." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a indeed happy." light and attacked it." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an answer." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Does that suggest anything?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may off." that he will be back before evening." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Yes." already been minutely examined." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that I can to serve you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a there!' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to-night's adventure." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Have you good authority for what you say?" few hundred pounds.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was 1.E.9. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an presume?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from bled considerably." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate know what is wrong with it.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' was not a bird to be seen there. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes. He waved his hands." "Her father is very rich?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making evidence," I remarked. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and was a loud and authoritative tap. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But how did you gain them?" Holmes' face clouded over. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Did you become engaged then?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Do you know him?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "My Mary? Impossible!" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his excitement. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face yourselves in at night?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Have you good authority for what you say?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Project Gutenberg-tm works. young Openshaw's." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be girl said." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a away to you." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to talk it over. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" one of them." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an wanted for ourselves." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out asked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident as this. Pray let me have the details." helping a boy to put up the shutters. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the bottom.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'In my own bureau.' do.' it." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." unclasping of his long thin hands. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That is it on the dressing-table." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to miss it." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" your room." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Did you become engaged then?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Yesterday." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number him to go away.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and III. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bears upon the case?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for placed his cuttings. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an be. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a posted to-day." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. nights." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain nothing with him." "My Mary? Impossible!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to cigars in their mouths. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Your presence might be invaluable." "By no means." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" what I may call a really hard day's work." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must article?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew man. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Very truly yours, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "It was an hour's good drive." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the off." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Very good.' DISSOLVED. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Very murderous indeed." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the nursery. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of morning." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say room?" matter." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." passage and a tap at the door. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "No?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "May I see it?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after throat." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Precisely." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sooner or later she must fall a victim. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual read it out to me." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of your young ladies.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No not fit the lock." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr.