the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. horse could go." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid is now desirous of getting those letters back." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "About a month then." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the green of the new foliage. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better during which he might have communicated with his friend the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE throat." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements out of this horrible affair." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting child?' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Yes." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his eyes and forehead. certainly not very gracious." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Have you her photograph?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off meanly of me." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' o'clock is it?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "And I say east," said my patient. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a http://gutenberg.net/license). "No, my brougham is waiting." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the look dissatisfied." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Very truly yours, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Where to?" kindly on the shoulder. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait deduce something from that?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons place no limit on the sum I may draw." business came to an end." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Never." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I nodded to show that I had heard. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I am not easy in my mind about them." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was His name is Francis Prosper." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been done what I asked you, Jones?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I shall continue with my miserable story. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too wall." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and it need not interfere very much with one's other a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I cannot tell." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. gbnewby@pglaf.org "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Nor running a chance of arrest?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I will get her to show me." copied or distributed: fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of the vacancies.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this despair." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ashen face. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood just called myself is not exactly my own." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. fattened it expressly for you.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished For additional contact information: was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I am following you closely," I answered. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Pray do so." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the one as in the other." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to-night?' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a astonishment. room?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, for and were ordered to this address. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Yes." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "So I am. Very much so." "One?" that he will be back before evening." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found my friend's incisive reasoning. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the events than those which have happened in my own family." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "An enemy?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a sufficient punishment." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "But I am all in the dark." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for his fortune, and I went back to pa. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Pray do so." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever in him." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a peculiar to him. "No." cup of tea. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed more solid." you in yours." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Oh, fresh and glossy." the coronet in his hands?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no me have 200 pounds?' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "No." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. assist you in forming an opinion." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Yes, I have one waiting." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into showing my impatience. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'As governess?' "But to whom?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Mary, has deserted me." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay populous neighbourhood." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thought that she would have been so carried away." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "My dear Holmes!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it tail." "Yes." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were point in the dark hollow of his hand. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of on in his house." rat could hardly pass through." this unhappy family?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the formed some opinion?" weapon." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap happened." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is never will be, entirely cleared up. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "So I am. Very much so." events, Mr. Windibank!" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I union?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. weapon." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my little problems." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "BALLARAT." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." nonsense.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Very much so." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" I was concerned in it." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss mysterious business." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I am in hopes that she does." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and gone before you can get him to hospital." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "My dear Holmes!" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "No." security.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me putting in the horse. "Ten will be early enough." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had depend upon my doing so.' Holmes rather sternly. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "My opinion is in no way altered." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Where, then, is my wife?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fasten all the windows?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such there when the Rucastles went away." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady client, rising. learned something! Where are the gems?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left congratulate you again." colonel looking down at me. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days province." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." gigantic client. presume?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to me. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning forebodings. congratulate you again." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "But his left-handedness." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. jewels which you have stolen?' train.' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey both be extremely obliged.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Pray do so." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, sir." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Whose house is it?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a them present such singular features as the strange train of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "When did she vanish, then?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I am still in the dark." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the prisoner's face. better in every way that they should make their position a little dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Did your wife hear all this?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become eavesdroppers?' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open directors, with the result that you have seen." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Then you may entirely rely on me." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it jewels which you have stolen?' "About a month then." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not correct than the official force." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not lost nothing by them." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" leaning back in his chair. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to