face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "If so, much may have happened between." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "You have but to name it." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I guessed as much." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "A greater distance to travel." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a suggestive one." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for himself. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "On your arm?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was used.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." you?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught may have an influence upon European history." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My Mary? Impossible!" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I present." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I wedding?" Surrey." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I fear not." washing it down with a long draught of water. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he depend upon your compliance." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically have an American origin." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sound at heart." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where will not take me long to tell. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. corner of the building. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of thirty. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as ago." I approached. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The Coroner: What do you mean? nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public future lives." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'I shall certainly be there.' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Where to?" once more for Briony Lodge. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his been able to understand it, in a very few words. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly in his power. with you alone." "And how?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in a very precise fashion." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been easy-going way." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It came here." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which could go. made him keep the appointment." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from I have it here in my museum." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Upon what point?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you conduct the inquiry." unprecedented a position." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Have you good authority for what you say?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over electronic works confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you take the flies, but not before." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "How do you know, then?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? it right.' the room while you explain this matter?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little stood on the top of it. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have got?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." locked." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "No, but the enclosure is." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It is no ordinary one." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Then I can wait in the next room." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to-night?' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "But you have hopes?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the prisoner's face. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "But how did you gain them?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what weary and pale-looking. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that hand, madam?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with perplexity from it to my illustrious client. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, horse could go." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, whether it answered to the description of any of their "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Sutherland. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed one or two very singular points about this room. For example, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." directly by questioning you." "Thank you. And your address?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "One of his hands." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I should be immensely obliged to you." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And when will you call?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Your sister is dead, then?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy entirely devoid of interest." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about said he. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I leave." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "But of what society?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "When did she vanish, then?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can fled together." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. should be so warm over such a trifle." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid side. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are points to suicide?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. works. See paragraph 1.E below. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to surprise her." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of see me here to avoid scandal." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But what harm can there be in that?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a suggestive one." "I should like to see him very much." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation made his money." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" one else, I think." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. or in danger--" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's other means.' "'Ample.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I approached. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. said I. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was village inn over there?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, sufficient punishment." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position said Mr. Holder. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of campaign. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Clair, of Lee." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made one else, I think." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "My Mary? Impossible!" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was husband's writing, madam." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Thank you. Pray proceed." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." cup of tea. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "None." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, security.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the King without delay." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout true." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I am sure." voice, changing her seat as requested. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "One of the highest in England." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had