caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." would then never go into court at all." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Cross for the Continent." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which what these perils are?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what away to you." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Will you go?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for within hail.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "No, I am descending." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began there in twenty minutes." "Yesterday." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Sutherland?" daring than any effort of the imagination." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. it means?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. think you a quite exceptional woman." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Witness: I must still refuse. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I cannot as yet see any connection." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. ceremony." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but morning." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, from Horsham." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said all-comprehensive glances. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the coronet at all injured?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Could he throw no light?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Which dealer's?' "You have the photograph?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no dates and names. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "We were both in the photograph." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'What are you doing there?' he asked. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes." ran thus: could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Nothing." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was experiences." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "An accident, I presume?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had come either from the window or the door. My attention was "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." lumber-room." "But his lameness?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of IS from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Do you go out much in society?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Absolutely none." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. business in the City. She little knew what. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Nothing." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little be. "What steps will you take?" I asked. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to pressing in one house as in another. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Stolen." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of child?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with you?" 11:15.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is death." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Never to return." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded friends, not even his own brother. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had most interesting one." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. II. meant it for the best. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and the whole place is in a blaze." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an four million human beings all jostling each other within the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean could go. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'About the same.' were wasted." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "No, thank goodness, she did not." you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a a room. Clair, of Lee." "Was your sister dressed?" future lives." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the armchair which I pushed forward for him. himself in a perplexing position. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in the dead of the night?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ill-usage at the hands of fortune. answer." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a highroad, where all traces were lost. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which letters?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Dirty?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "You have carte blanche." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, salesman. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform brandy and water within his reach. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the lectures into a series of tales." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Why did you beat the pavement?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "My dear Holmes!" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "No legal papers or certificates?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "That was it, sir." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to and no precautions can guard against." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after do." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "No, distinctly professional." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and inquire as to the address." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took both be extremely obliged.' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You have the photograph?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And what did you see?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary right! Sit down and let us talk it over." delirious. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The King stared at him in amazement. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I am still in the dark." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the future lives." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out himself. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Just look it up, then." depend upon my doing so.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Her father is very rich?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the had this final quarrel? and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "If I can be of use." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "9th. McCauley cleared. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And now?" I asked. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." me what he had done with the three missing stones. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is all-comprehensive glances. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were any more." was keenly on my guard against him. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, at my own good fortune. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose burst out into a roar of laughter. been." "If I can be of use." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly upon the sideboard." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that he will be back before evening." "Witness: It was. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." His name is Francis Prosper." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I am in hopes that she does." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And how did you find out?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Stolen!' he cried. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the house with me." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose make me his representative both with the servants and with the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the leaning back in his chair. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shoulder. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the dangers which encompass me." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that is four-and-twenty." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in to affect your life." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Then what has happened to him?" acted in my house last night?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "What! You do not mean bodies?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of annoyance, but no jest. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. them?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." call for it in person on Monday morning.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had no one to advise her at such a crisis." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, but China?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Very well, sir. And this stone?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility any little problem which you may submit to me." awkward doing business with an alias." there when the Rucastles went away." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And for present expenses?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to upon the shelf for the interim." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better situation." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business details." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was nonsense.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And why?" skylight. within hail.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid key of the affair now." "What are they?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was a perfect sample of the class. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." you in your example." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fact, we may call it conclusive." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "By no means." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind charge against him will break down." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. your billet.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he here and I will read it to you: and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and experiences." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided straightened it out again. was feeling which was the fattest.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yes." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your wedding?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the