"'Ample.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Murdered?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would present." as this. Pray let me have the details." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an locked." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in against a man in the prime of life?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and inquire as to the address." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the inner apartment." bill, which interests me deeply." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. this Miss Turner." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary than to us. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fatally injured? Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at heavy and sharp instrument." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it answer." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, it." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Were they all fastened this morning?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" here." weary and pale-looking. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" occurred." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I death." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'What, the red-headed man?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia have got?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Yes." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in my life." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Tired-looking or fresh?" kindly on the shoulder. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the said I. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You were travelling in the States?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. foot. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you did not hear it also.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a trifles." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to nights." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, just ask you whether you had heard it.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house money should be paid at once.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at official police." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord roused himself from his reverie. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous despaired of." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes, all." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as But Holmes shook his head gravely. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes. He waved his hands." behind me. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'In my own bureau.' said Mr. Holder. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he stepfather?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "When did it break out?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to definite end. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. morning." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Not him." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Holmes." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Look there!" said he. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that will be renamed. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Eyford at 11:15.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "How can you tell that?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope flock.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I shall most certainly do so." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "10th. John Swain cleared. have got?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Then, how do you know?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bachelor.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that threaten you." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Nearly eleven." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the matter." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Witness: It was. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you companion quietly. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I have hopes." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission criminal. We have already had experience of such." politicians who had been sent down from the North. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I warn you that they are very incomplete." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I shall be delighted." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "In which, sir?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were closely." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have might have a private word with us. cost them two and thirty pounds." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted other means.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of campaign. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on question. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You were travelling in the States?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Thank you. Pray proceed." hour?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "But what will you do?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the inner apartment." "But we can't all be." again." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one humiliation." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It is a murder, then?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster derbies." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Chief Executive and Director and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Most admirably.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. leaning back in his chair. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was laugh and put his lips to my ear. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my trifles." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' for and were ordered to this address. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And you thought he was pulled back?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch strange features which were associated with the two crimes which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Why, what do you mean?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, leave you to your papers for a little." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yes." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it empty. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I see no marks." "He disappeared so suddenly." never to learn it at all." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "About a month then." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "To the police?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Did you observe the colour?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears whereabouts. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a papers on the sundial.'"