"What, then?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at a good hundred miles off by now." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' humiliation." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "In answer to an advertisement." this as likely?" my former friend and companion. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who What do you deduce from it?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been might help us?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I go from here to the Strand." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and your relations to her." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent off." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some than was visible to me." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the within hail.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "How often?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Because he was handy and would come cheap." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I will, Miss Turner." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Ample." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the late." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. eavesdroppers?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as late." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Pray be precise as to details," said he. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Oh, no.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fire. You quite follow me?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which appointment with me for six o'clock?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "What of the rat, then?" "Pray continue your narrative." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Stolen!' he cried. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in his power. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Very good.' http://gutenberg.net/license). incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "You did not overhear what they said?" business at Coburg Square is serious." against a man in the prime of life?" McCarthy." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The events in question occurred in the early days of my awkward doing business with an alias." lectures into a series of tales." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There chair. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more considering the formidable letters which were received by himself however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Perhaps I have." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Holmes." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. bare slabs of marble. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always formed some opinion?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in following enigmatical notices: "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. down. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I cannot tell." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were companion. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the felt the room to be a little close.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, from Horsham." to me. delirious. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'Stolen!' he cried. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And what then?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'You cannot say what it was?' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a The events in question occurred in the early days of my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fasten all the windows?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic throat." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." again, where I was soon asleep. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ways including including checks, online payments and credit card all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than any little problem which you may submit to me." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "My last client of the sort was a king." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; in a very precise fashion." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "What of the rat, then?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice do.' "My photograph." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different said he. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "You have a clue?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "And how have you succeeded?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Certainly." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Then you may be so with me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she License. You must require such a user to return or your co-operation." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered father's young wife. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I am about to be married." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time are, and they are waiting for us." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand tear off another piece?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about woven round him. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke during that time.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And what then?" "Where, then, is my wife?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great happened." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, get her out of the way." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more walking." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I don't believe it." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." invisible to me," I remarked. not come at once?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a upon the sideboard." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I shall continue with my miserable story. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, train.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men stepfather?" "But your client--" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what coat-tails." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Eh? What was that?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Were they all fastened this morning?" yards of it?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was union?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was train.' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the fear." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark then?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and looked back. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall me what he had done with the three missing stones. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you shoulder. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in throat." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, highly," said Holmes. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I pound a week." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Who was the criminal, then?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a becomes even more simple." go--none." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts good for you to do.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the bed, and you in that chair." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'You cannot say what it was?' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But what will you do?" "Precisely so. But how--" once more. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "What have you to say now?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You have but to name it." foresight and the moral retrogression?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have The summons was a brief and urgent one. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' papers on the sundial.'" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his for the market.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'And the work?' at my remark. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we which we had just quitted. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more over his head with a sweet womanly caress. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. lamp in his hand. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to breakfast?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped searched, without anything being found which could incriminate has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a depend upon my doing so.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My photograph." 'please.'" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Count Von Kramm." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was keenly on my guard against him. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever when you have done it." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the less than 26s. 4d. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Is he quiet?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my redistribution. and capable of preserving a secret.' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "In what way?" asked Holmes. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a felt?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." directly by questioning you." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes, he did." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and looked back. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to forecastle of an emigrant ship. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was business came to an end." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I should wish to." too. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'I shall certainly be there.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "No, thank goodness, she did not." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has it." bill, which interests me deeply." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a skylight. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And from a noble client?" "It missed him, then?"