the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly not, dad?" she asked. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an pierced for earrings?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. not fit the lock." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at photograph a cabinet?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I shall be delighted." the coroner come to?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "9th. McCauley cleared. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for useful material for showing traces. The double line a little little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "From his hat?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "ARAT," I read. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Proceed, then." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the morning and make my own way in the world.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I do." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest both be extremely obliged.' cup of tea. During two years I have had three consultations and one small thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well for and were ordered to this address. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that definite end. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on depend upon my doing so.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the nursery. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have I gained?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common danger is over." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And now?" I asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is served to weaken the effect. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I am in hopes that she does." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Was there a secret marriage?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Serpentine Avenue. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' everything which you would wish to know." "I have come for advice." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from arms and began to sob in a high treble key. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Then let me do so?' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. breakfast?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I promise," said Holmes. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is half-past ten now." "Why did you pick him?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "What then?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought locked. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and better grown goose." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should allusion to a rat. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips chance at all." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Count Von Kramm." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an know all about it," he snarled. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off arms and began to sob in a high treble key. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Did you observe the colour?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, interests were the same as his." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour had this final quarrel? scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through certainly do as you advise." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in again before evening." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, had a long day." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pierced for earrings?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Holmes rather sternly. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Precisely." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You have compromised yourself seriously." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "You will not go there first?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon night.' said he. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the running down." definite end. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." plantation.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and that he would see to anything that turned up. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning washing it down with a long draught of water. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I your room." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That is it on the dressing-table." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to think, you have already met." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" presume?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the himself to hunt down. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I notes," he said. locked. "At what time?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of page at http://pglaf.org confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 washing it down with a long draught of water. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind overpowering excitement and concern. as noiselessly as she had come. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I disappearance of the bride.'" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I don't believe it." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. papers must be those that are destroyed.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are envelope. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "How can you tell that?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'Very good.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Where to?' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began or other trace. But how on earth--" ready to-morrow?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular child?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been individual and becomes the badge of a society." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear carpenter." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the coronet in his hand?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever within hail.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless roused himself from his reverie. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San conversation I have gathered that they have been married about my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on assist you in forming an opinion." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up thought that she would have been so carried away." "I am to be neutral?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that you saw all that I did." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed some mystery and the punishment of some crime." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And now?" He raised his hand. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he that?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists where Mr. Fordham shows you.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at to-morrow." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, only one." passage and a tap at the door. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas or other trace. But how on earth--" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Eh? What was that?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Then I am your man." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No more words. Get out!" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to some other building. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian people don't know." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an said he. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me invisible to me," I remarked. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it." late!' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When at my remark. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "How did he come?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it stood on the top of it. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at my remark. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually never to learn it at all." not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holmes. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ran thus: felt the room to be a little close.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the get her out of the way." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Not in a good cause." "No." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't some city in a dream. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully is four-and-twenty." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each remarked, "I should be better able to advise you."