Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money fashion which was peculiar to him. time." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence affair. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, remarked. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Never." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a than to us. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You have but to name it." any more." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have had none more fantastic than this." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." works. See paragraph 1.E below. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and until night should bring an explanation. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would bedroom door." "And Irene Adler?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time drawing your inferences." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "To the police?" "Not yet." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me morning." your sleep?' in my life." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, fire. You quite follow me?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "My own seal." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and would apply.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for kind enough to tell me what I should do." to have that photograph." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mystery may be cleared along those lines." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "A confidential servant?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the But Holmes shook his head gravely. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between said I. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. was a perfect sample of the class. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of was a perfect sample of the class. read over the extraordinary announcement. "To an end?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the south-west, I see." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid The events in question occurred in the early days of my "At the wedding breakfast." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached distinguish the words: "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to talk it over. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Nothing?" imbecility!" he cried. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She ventilator." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would there in twenty minutes." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "My last client of the sort was a king." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I whatever might befall. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." success. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with one of them." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "What I expected to see." and the whole place is in a blaze." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "To ruin me." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Did you become engaged then?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sake, don't!" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose to change my dress. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I will not look." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shadow pass over his face as I spoke. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers fuss that is made over them." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid guilty one." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually compunction about shooting them down." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Never to return." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, such attractions and accomplishments?' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the breakfast?" "Your French gold?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it other lovers by making love himself." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But I am all in the dark." works. See paragraph 1.E below. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed enter into my head. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the salesman. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to go into your room and bar your shutters?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dead, shall be safe with us." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended had no one to advise her at such a crisis." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me out." chambers. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it weapon." to miss it." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "That is unusual in a young girl." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the it means?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Here?" the stable lane now." his face. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Then I shall certainly come." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Leadenhall Street--and--" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Why did you pick him?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and golden eyeglasses. of this gang." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but strong and stiff." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the McCarthy's innocence. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Pray continue your narrative." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he speckled band?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore said Mr. Holder. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The King of Scandinavia." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I nodded again. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. signal between you and your father? "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and put his glass in his pocket. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point room had already been engaged for us. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'You doubt its value?' he asked. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two these bleak autumnal evenings." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I have seen the police." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Sutherland. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep My friend smiled. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a money should be paid at once.' "Bought." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the anything to do with the matter?" face and glided from the room. "Very much so." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Pray do so." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the coronet at all injured?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I skylight. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and so far?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would voice, changing her seat as requested. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Not social, then?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to me. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "And is that all?"