should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his residence of the great financier. shoulder; "he's all right." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an ways of our fellow-men." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hour?' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "No." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the case before our client came into the room." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I don't believe it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and affair. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which fasten all the windows?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the recover the gem." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home him, that man would not have given me such complete information high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house here and I will read it to you: "I will, Miss Turner." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I should be immensely obliged to you." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "But how did you gain them?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** were unconscious?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which should have the effect of calling the attention of the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the detective. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Young McCarthy must be got off, however." extraordinary contortions. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice breakfast and whispered something to her husband. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the shall use the carriage to-night." "His face fell immediately. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a or other trace. But how on earth--" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the salesman. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait without a word or a look. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them young Openshaw's." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Game for a morning drive?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of but preventing her from injuring another. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Yes." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "We have tried and failed." "You have the photograph?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to open." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came begun to whiten, even as mine has." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the a little more before I quite committed myself. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. with her." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate window when the police appeared." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. problems help me to do so." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" companion quietly. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were occurred." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and all of them with the keenest interest. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and prosperity to your house. Good-night." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and the colonel ushered me in. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut that threaten you." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah!" "Murdered?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to details." was not a bird to be seen there. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the me what he had done with the three missing stones. companion quietly. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'What would be the hours?' I asked. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Entirely." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "And why?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Never.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It came here." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No sign of it?" very old mansion. here and I will read it to you: gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who your Highness to the police-station?" and have this put in the evening papers." could not have written that. It is the German who is so whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in my life." "It is very clear." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "What can it mean?" I gasped. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' quickly through a disagreeable task. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are to-night's adventure." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Foundation and I shall be with you presently." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." at my remark. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Literary Archive Foundation intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of been able to understand it, in a very few words. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be call for it in person on Monday morning.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Pray continue your narrative." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have call for it in person on Monday morning.' Munro.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into people in all walks of life. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that you can jump it.' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and it need not interfere very much with one's other the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of like that before?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Never.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. horse could go." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, all." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "What can it mean?" I gasped. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the devil!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Perfectly so." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "And I to find an enemy." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were always that they were such commands as a lady might with The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And for present expenses?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through himself to tell his story. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the I shall continue with my miserable story. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Do you know him?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond her also." of campaign. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I never have." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Murdered?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I nodded again. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of all that?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "And for present expenses?" Pope's Court. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of records." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and your relations to her." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The new duties?' made his money." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed what do you think they found in the pockets?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "About a month then." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ashen face. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "He said too much." forbidden door. cause to be." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very call the police, let the police find what they can.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is very kind of you." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive posted to-day." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old not use it unless it is absolutely needed." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come me what he had done with the three missing stones. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his three of the beryls in it, was missing. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "How long did she speak to this Alice?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only where she found matters as described by the last witness. felt the room to be a little close.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday crowd. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Ten will be early enough." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It's nothing of the kind." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fat-encircled eyes. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and must compliment you." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual knowledge of the world." him and tried to hold him back. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Doctor, of the paper and the date." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious from you?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and