husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, tell them apart.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which so far?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "You don't mind breaking the law?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that I can to serve you." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in there in twenty minutes." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the entirely devoid of interest." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and all of them with the keenest interest. During two years I have had three consultations and one small strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Perfectly so." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of just called myself is not exactly my own." "The gentleman I describe." "Yes, from Horsham." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Proceed, then." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire helping a boy to put up the shutters. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking some city in a dream. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we bird of prey. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very morning of my second wedding." daring than any effort of the imagination." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had this final quarrel? quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds take the flies, but not before." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, certainly." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on figure." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I shall be delighted." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sneer upon his pale face. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to-morrow." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to take care of herself." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." habit of advancing money.' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Why that?' I asks. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I cannot as yet see any connection." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my fear." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for particular state visit http://pglaf.org value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Was she in good spirits?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." tear off another piece?' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite His name is Francis Prosper." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "None." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with begin with, and I had not got mine yet." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of wall." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And now?" He raised his hand. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich wanted for ourselves." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a your own bird, so if you wish--" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." it were putty." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from better in every way that they should make their position a little "So I am. Very much so." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and long narrative. fled together." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "No. What a strange idea!" "One of his hands." outside. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient future lives." Cross for the Continent." that threaten you." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the matter." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can recall any case within my experience which looked at the first during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I shall communicate with you." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the charged with?" "The King of Scandinavia." wedding?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What then?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you open." directors, with the result that you have seen." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Ah, but I was recommended to you." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves one or two very singular points about this room. For example, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'What do you call purely nominal?' is worth.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly absorbing." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little thin, with a long, sharp nose?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "What is it?" "To ruin me." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my power." the devil!" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Of what?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there little trying to do so much typewriting?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive depend upon my doing so.' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that even so self-evident a thing as that." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you again." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards shag which I had seen upon the previous night. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you for a few hours?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Do you receive much company?" he asked. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of is," said he presently: comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. depend upon my doing so.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Where could I find him?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I know where it is." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man lectures into a series of tales." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of Mr. Rucastle's." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it." "But the mystery?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the himself in a perplexing position. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an appointment with me for six o'clock?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I him!" any more." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What office?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would over part of the map. "What do you read?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and looked back. you for a few hours?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But his left-handedness." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss his face which made him a very different person to the round, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here delighted to hear it," he said. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Come in!" said he. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? coat-tails." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and put his glass in his pocket. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Entirely." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with which we had just quitted. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a this as likely?" appeared upon the scene." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate eavesdroppers?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "She told me to ask you." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She appointment with me for six o'clock?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "In what way?" asked Holmes. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" business." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project in this way: chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "An accident, I presume?" the stable lane now." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the forehead. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the spark where all is dark to me." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one answered with a sidelong glance. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own nonsense.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal must be when I saw the door open.' "Pray continue your narrative." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered figure." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That also I could fathom." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No bad?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the this poor creature." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he