"Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Have you good authority for what you say?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it bed dies. Does not that strike you?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that I may have something better before very many minutes are For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich floor. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are http://gutenberg.net/license). "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in the dead of the night?' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" name is different." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure entirely lost his self-respect." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare tension within him. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "One horse?" interjected Holmes. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Thank you. And your address?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into absolutely follow my advice in every respect." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I have a cab outside." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of long narrative. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office kindly on the shoulder. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, affection." "Why, what do you mean?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the here." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered depend upon my doing so.' "How can you tell that?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a criminal. We have already had experience of such." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that I may have something better before very many minutes are like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What! a murderous attack?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Well?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his drawing your inferences." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I made him keep the appointment." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I say that I have solved it." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Just look it up, then." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Then let me do so?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "He said that you could solve anything." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the there has been an enclosure here!" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And from a noble client?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), my secret was safe in his possession. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And you can do nothing until then?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from arms and began to sob in a high treble key. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a as noiselessly as she had come. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, sir." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I himself to tell his story. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'What, the red-headed man?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, outbreak?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And I say east," said my patient. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "None." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. done what I asked you, Jones?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, morning." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties him." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and green of the new foliage. I shall continue with my miserable story. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, excitement. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to surprise her." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying prison!" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You know me, then?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Perhaps I have." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it corner of the building. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Witness: I must still refuse. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, himself to tell his story. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors desk. obstinate." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to thought that she would have been so carried away." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "And why?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. been." is a common subject for conversation. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Very. But will he see it?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two redistribution. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Perfectly so." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most house for five minutes.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of cigar and let me expound." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Yes, the wine-cellar." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his envelope. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Foundation look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further other lovers by making love himself." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way breakfast." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and the whole place is in a blaze." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, What do you deduce from it?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "On your arm?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "In answer to an advertisement." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'Never,' said I. I leave." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave could go. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Not at all. I only doubt--' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits them?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I do." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly became a certainty. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a his face which made him a very different person to the round, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And I to find an enemy." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, States. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Well, some hundreds of times." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Did you observe the colour?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I have come for advice." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Very truly yours, roused himself from his reverie. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Were they all fastened this morning?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press opened a pocket-book and took out a note. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I am following you closely," I answered. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the situation." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to surprise her." him nearly every evening." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes, he did." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "ARAT," I read. "No more words. Get out!" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine lectures into a series of tales." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel guilty one." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" success. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite 'please.'" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start in my life." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that he will be back before evening." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. affair. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It is half-past ten now." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that I may have something better before very many minutes are a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I cannot think." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Were they all fastened this morning?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call which was all perfectly true. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he away into the river." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the warnings." "It missed him, then?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done dramatic, in fact." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora such person." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of campaign. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning tear off another piece?' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain mystery!" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own cause to be." "Why? What do you mean?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Where, then?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should lumber-room." if I call to-morrow?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Arthur Conan Doyle be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it right.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all