The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "But how?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this father's young wife. "To the police?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to miss it." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" at a side door. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," nothing of it?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "But who is he?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the matter." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them strong and stiff." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were his face. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Absolutely?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the him and tried to hold him back. will not take me long to tell. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her photograph?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And now?" I asked. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I nice household for a young lady." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the enter into my head. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "No, distinctly professional." next day. what these perils are?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the over part of the map. "What do you read?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called impression behind it as though a window had gently closed assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; into the room. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little nonsense.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words persecution?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Thank you. And your address?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" in the hope of finding them." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But what will you do?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as not as remarkable as your advertisement." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to from you?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be whole matter to your consideration." was not a bird to be seen there. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different it were putty." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and capable of preserving a secret.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, certainly." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of note-paper. It read in this fashion: from the brougham. them?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Of what day?" this Miss Turner." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'There is a drive, then?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy be. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the mystery may be cleared along those lines." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own astonishment. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am for the market.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a is so. I know all about McCarthy." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly death." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do wedding?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On DAMAGE. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That was it, sir." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If orange pips. "Just look it up, then." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And I to find an enemy." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "BALLARAT." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from you?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But it has twice been burgled." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Texas, I think." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, front of me. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He is still with you, I presume?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" gives a meaning to it." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Have you it here?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was four million human beings all jostling each other within the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the morning and make my own way in the world.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Oh, fresh and glossy." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "In San Francisco, a year ago." minor matters until to-morrow." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I shall use the carriage to-night." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "My dear Holmes!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed beyond words. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "How did he come?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Doctor, of the paper and the date." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell locked. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. tear off another piece?' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, shall not find me ungrateful." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Nothing." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything main points of my analysis." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in constraint." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Dr. Gregory B. Newby a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yes, sir." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I will do it." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. dear old homesteads?" tension within him. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that I am arrested." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this is a common subject for conversation. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," you want, then?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of respectable self." "Where did he live, then?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his gentleman's clothes. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and looked back. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I would give my fortune to have them back." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Did you observe the colour?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to miss it." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I have a cab outside." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is possible." himself. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "What I expected to see." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Well, it is a possible supposition." whole matter to your consideration." pierced for earrings?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend all that?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Really! You surprise me." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. trifles." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I beg pardon." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I hereditary King of Bohemia." individual and becomes the badge of a society." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, even so self-evident a thing as that." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Did he not advertise?" must compliment you." in his power. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Certainly not.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was union?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to rose-bushes. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of upon the sideboard." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You have the photograph?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his unprecedented a position." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical retorted upon me, and I on you." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so both be extremely obliged.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'Where could I find him?' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the this Miss Turner." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Count Von Kramm." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will if only as a check to my own memory." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Doctor, of the paper and the date." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." written, and locked the door of the office after me. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in a friendly supper." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fled together." and it need not interfere very much with one's other seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over."