"I cannot tell." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never paper in the air. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To matter." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is morning." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" legal crime." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the observed. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Yes, sir.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, nights." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of his cane at the bell-pull. in a very precise fashion." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Come in!" said he. "I cannot as yet see any connection." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you manager. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your will not take me long to tell. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey some mystery and the punishment of some crime." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One fishes. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, heavy and sharp instrument." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall in one or two places in England?' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "That was it, sir." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom respectable self." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in national property. I was determined that the law should have its the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the nursery. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was gone. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off all?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I was sure that I might rely on you." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where dead, shall be safe with us." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But she will refuse." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the bed, and you in that chair." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Entirely." for the market.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case be sorry for having acted so harshly." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Can I be of assistance?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for him nearly every evening." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "No legal papers or certificates?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of tail." of his shoulders. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. will not take me long to tell. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but suspect him." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and the colonel ushered me in. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and the colonel ushered me in. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same have not had my rubber." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Munro.' "'You cannot say what it was?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story foresight and the moral retrogression?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one him. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a stepfather?" as he folded up the epistle. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some presume?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from manager. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Street. see a sister of mine apply for." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She retorted upon me, and I on you." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Very murderous indeed." character. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it it means?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. not as remarkable as your advertisement." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yes. He waved his hands." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I gigantic client. "What do you mean?" time." "And I to find an enemy." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom shadow pass over his face as I spoke. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes, sir." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were would apply.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Very much so." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yesterday." next day. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is bird of prey. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the telegram would bring me down to your help." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is to him that this trophy belongs." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT father's place of business?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What then?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and furiously. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a himself to hunt down. your bag." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I will not look." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in this way: roused himself from his reverie. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Mrs. Toller serenely. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied which should have the effect of calling the attention of the DISSOLVED. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." you." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start his cane at the bell-pull. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its I shall communicate with you." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated his huge brown hands. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. investigation." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I was concerned in it." "What is it?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' front of me. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his affection." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "You are hungry," I remarked. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Yes." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'You cannot say what it was?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'How far from the body?' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two mystery!" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Not yet." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very seem to you to be relevant or not." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Can I be of assistance?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and directly by questioning you." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. father's place of business?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his experiences." is acting for the best. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. passage and a tap at the door. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I written, and locked the door of the office after me. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Was he the only applicant?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the weapon." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than putting in the horse. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would both be extremely obliged.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker footfalls from the street. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of strength of mind to control. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Not him." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My yet." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not think, you have already met." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door knowledge of the world." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the States. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom bedroom door." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and wait." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some have accepted such a situation. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you train.' delirious. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It is possible." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that there was nothing in it, after all." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "He is dead," cried several voices. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and looked back. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers redistribution. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the himself in a perplexing position. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young must be when I saw the door open.' copied or distributed: "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Witness: It was. Gutenberg-tm License. something of him before." "I assure you that I am in your hands." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon awaited us upon the table. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a License. You must require such a user to return or above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very might have a private word with us. "But it has twice been burgled." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" without a word or a look. outside." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point