his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Does that suggest anything?" to-morrow." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Then I am your man." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What is it?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I warn you that they are very incomplete." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very together. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had him." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small society." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Stoke Moran." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in which it had come upon my father." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. is now desirous of getting those letters back." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I photograph?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "One horse?" interjected Holmes. carriage. It was a chestnut." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "What?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I was concerned in it." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before interests were the same as his." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "You are all wrong." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." together. together. horse could go." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dramatic, in fact." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better said I. despaired of." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holmes' room. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "What then?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the at my remark. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. this man was intellectual?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I am following you closely," I answered. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Then I am your man." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Mary, has deserted me." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable outside." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and golden eyeglasses. had formerly been in part my own. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an be. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'What do you call purely nominal?' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would matter." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, his forehead." fattened it expressly for you.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to orange pips. it right.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" skylight. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "ARAT," I read. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my an introduction to him?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have got?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Very truly yours, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from see a sister of mine apply for." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "You forget that I know nothing about it." opportunities to fix the problem. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure deduce something from that?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Which dealer's?' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Which dealer's?' "No, my brougham is waiting." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away is so. I know all about McCarthy." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have humiliation." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Yes, certainly." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then I can wait in the next room." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Why did you pick him?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other are, and they are waiting for us." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I cannot say that I have." assist you in forming an opinion." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. not fit the lock." think that he is innocent?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "How many? I don't know." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it appeal." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less side. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Holmes' room. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Never." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. pictures, libraries, or plate. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder sofa. This way, please!" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the ceiling. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram intrusion of other matters." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And why?" closing the door. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But what is it you wish?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" way in everything. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an examination of the premises, but without finding anything which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Ample." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the generous with you in money matters.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Then how many are there?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "VIOLET HUNTER." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'As governess?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every words came to my lips. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way front of me. highroad, where all traces were lost. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Then you may be so with me." yet." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the floor. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Pray tell us what has happened to you." be.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that know that the truth is known." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Do you go out much in society?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "She showed me, as I told you she would." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Of what?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which me upon any point which I do not make clear." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you your bag." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay that he has suffered." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And is that all?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone at home. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the coroner come to?" which our visitor detailed to us. the bottom.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'I have already given you my word.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Do you know him?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself geese which you supplied to the Alpha." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking IS broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and do you make of it all?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "And for present expenses?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "You have carte blanche." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Nor running a chance of arrest?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. but preventing her from injuring another. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else narrative." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What shall I do?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that you saw all that I did." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Red-headed League." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "So I heard. You have him here?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Yes.' if only as a check to my own memory." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life leaning back in his chair. "But she could not love him." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "That sounds a little paradoxical." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and persecution?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back This is what he says: St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Street. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than there!' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself redistribution. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the mysterious end." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." too. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and all of them with the keenest interest. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must about. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it.