of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The Cedars?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora McCarthy." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to talk it over. "It was an hour's good drive." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his made him keep the appointment." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. secret." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil take the flies, but not before." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no must compliment you." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And is that all?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And when will you call?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy o'clock is it?" this poor creature." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of before the coroner and the police-court." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what dates and names. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who round and wave him away like that.' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. becomes even more simple." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I am armed." to his chemical studies. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "It goes to the housekeeper's room." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Will you bet, then?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in down. entirely lost his self-respect." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the rooms." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." conclusions. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Deserted you?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Never." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the manager. "You are hungry," I remarked. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with other lovers by making love himself." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in me what he had done with the three missing stones. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What can you not understand?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to-night?' enter Dr. Roylott's room." wanted for ourselves." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't think you a quite exceptional woman." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the know that the truth is known." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, me what he had done with the three missing stones. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." fashion which was peculiar to him. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Thank you. And your address?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the south-west, I see." leave you to your papers for a little." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That's no good." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Then what has happened to him?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, yes, easily." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to all that?" that he has suffered." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly ashen face. it right.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when know that the truth is known." "I will not look." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Never." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Yes?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Where does the thing come from?' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that ways of our fellow-men." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of his shoulders. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Game for a morning drive?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman had no one to advise her at such a crisis." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: unclasping of his long thin hands. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "And how did he make his money?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of as the one I chose?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I desk. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "What! You do not mean bodies?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed writer." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I will try. What is it?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that you wished to speak to me?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has sake, don't!" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather asked. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds really the only notable feature about the thing." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Yes." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my seem to you to be relevant or not." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to take care of herself." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural gentleman's clothes. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Count Von Kramm." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I am still in the dark." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of a light. "And from a noble client?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked over here." my secret was safe in his possession. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "That is unusual in a young girl." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the stones. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way because she had spent so short a time in this country that she saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of directly by questioning you." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to a more successful conclusion." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Entirely." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He back into the street. "Dirty?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "There are none." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point girl said." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable III. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had see a sister of mine apply for." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible place no limit on the sum I may draw." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be in this note: carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the coronet in his hands?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in place of silver." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" train.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "How did he come?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the side-table." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ran thus: will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." me where it went to?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about head. So long, then!" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his way in everything. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the not within a twentieth part of the market price." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would then never go into court at all." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar geese which you supplied to the Alpha." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a yet." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." attention." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Of what day?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the coronet at all injured?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project guilty parties." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the tapping his fingers upon the table. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "At what time?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were opportunities to fix the problem. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From some water from a caraffe. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I manager. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That's no good." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, morning." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Bought." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the south-west, I see." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And now?" He raised his hand. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the date of his supposed suicide." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the it with his own hands." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect other means.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said with you?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an one which it was hard to resist. fat-encircled eyes. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the way of danger. vault. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. it." "It is possible." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I think that it is very probable." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "But we can't all be." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & with her." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I cannot think." late!' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler infinite languor in his face. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I say it is." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this key turn in the lock." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Nothing?" persecution?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "By no means." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I kindly on the shoulder. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday do." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I have seen the police." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and floor. have established a very serious case against the son of the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the station." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and have this put in the evening papers." "'Oh, no.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the