overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the past. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those along the entire front of the house, with three long windows lost his Christmas dinner." sparkled upon his finger. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know relation between them, and what the object of his repeated demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the had picked up in the wood. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a outside. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in fear." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" front of me. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I shall most certainly do so." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is key turn in the lock." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Can I be of assistance?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most whereabouts. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence asked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He said that you could solve anything." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "In answer to an advertisement." "But how did you gain them?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door It may be so in this case, also." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. third from London." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you chamber." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry galvanised. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a His name is Francis Prosper." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was voice. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Thank you. Pray proceed." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a for the market.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and guilty parties." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by You want to know what became of those geese?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Is he quiet?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in again before evening." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain This is what he says: reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in business." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since handed it to him. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." indeed which he could not unravel. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there problems help me to do so." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be note?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not her also." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fluttered off among the others. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "No, I had a dozen." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I fear not." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." chair. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wanted for ourselves." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of populous neighbourhood." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in happened." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there mystery." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us that the gas is not laid on in his house?" this remarkable episode. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hopeless attempt at recovering them." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other appointment with me for six o'clock?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is meanly of me." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square despair." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But of what society?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's but preventing her from injuring another. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built what I may call a really hard day's work." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed future lives." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Dr. Becher's." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I call for it in person on Monday morning.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring father's place of business?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "If so, much may have happened between." matter." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and morning." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "In the cells." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business like gravel from a pit.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Of Friday, June 19th." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ordinary clothes on?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who my former friend and companion. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and look dissatisfied." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I said I. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I money should be paid at once.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Yes, all." them, and came down just as you departed. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe McCarthy's innocence. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "From his hat?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in photograph?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Henry Baker is a member." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and glanced through. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a room. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he events, Mr. Windibank!" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which pierced for earrings?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Lee, in the county of Kent." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked there in twenty minutes." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 11:15.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to that open window." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle roused himself from his reverie. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt purpose of examination. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it upon the sideboard." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on which our visitor detailed to us. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "He slept on the premises." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And how did you find out?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "We were both in the photograph." from the brougham. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had II. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, unclasping of his long thin hands. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "None." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white been able to understand it, in a very few words. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in this way: return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under congratulate you again." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a memory. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "But not more so than I to find you." touch that coronet?' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sit on the left-hand side of the driver." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and never to learn it at all." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, little trying to do so much typewriting?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm papers on the sundial.'" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' very old mansion. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "You heard nothing yourself last night?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And how in the world did you find them?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "It missed him, then?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, occurred." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Then the page we have seen--" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But who is he?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Yes." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes, all." "She showed me, as I told you she would." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of shoulder; "he's all right." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one chance." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "May I see it?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is she might be summoned. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his face which made him a very different person to the round, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Yes, sir.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." ago." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Breckinridge is his name." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the stones. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' long narrative. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and the whole place is in a blaze." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I will do it." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The landlord of the Alpha." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me used to be." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of note-paper. It read in this fashion: later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, infinite languor in his face. ready to-morrow?' himself. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Will you bet, then?" felt?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to wedding?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without eavesdroppers?' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able You know Peterson, the commissionaire?"