I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have retorted upon me, and I on you." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them before the coroner and the police-court." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "It is his hat." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Have you good authority for what you say?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "And the cigar-holder?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at will take you up to see the machine.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always second." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some pierced for earrings?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Indeed! Whose, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our what I may call a really hard day's work." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to congratulate you again." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well answer." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You horrify me!" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was existence." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his has little to do with my story." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the than was visible to me." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for again, where I was soon asleep. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "He is dead," cried several voices. It may be so in this case, also." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "That is it on the dressing-table." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some intrusion of other matters." "Certainly, madam." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the chance at all." friend's singular character. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. national property. I was determined that the law should have its perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to tell." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography you for a few hours?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Not in a good cause." to surprise her." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a as noiselessly as she had come. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I shall communicate with you." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad burst out into a roar of laughter. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he begun to whiten, even as mine has." in his power. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One as noiselessly as she had come. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. four million human beings all jostling each other within the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked look upon these things in a different way." it right.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the one else, I think." "And for present expenses?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the them?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I was mad--insane." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. as noiselessly as she had come. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this south, for the country is more deserted there." generous with you in money matters.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that But Holmes shook his head gravely. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have accepted such a situation. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen yards of it?' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But how will you look?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and that he would see to anything that turned up. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to surprise her." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and charged with?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and all of them with the keenest interest. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. new acquaintance to Baker Street. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "She showed me, as I told you she would." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "If I can be of use." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. copied or distributed: it." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how look dissatisfied." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife answer." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Game for a morning drive?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. III. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a late!' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the Assizes." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes, only one." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting useful material for showing traces. The double line a little clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Mrs. Toller serenely. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his IS eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" States. locked. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I came to find a friend." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I think that I had better go, Holmes." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Serpentine Avenue. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and put his glass in his pocket. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was galvanised. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I nodded again. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the occurred." be.' "Oh, yes, easily." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Yes, I have one waiting." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the running down." "And when will you call?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely nonsense.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "In the cells." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just danger is over." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning you?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I said Mr. Holder. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a where we are going." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, records." most interesting one." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt strength of mind to control. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire instituted." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Your presence might be invaluable." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Where is it, then?" overpowering excitement and concern. fluttered off among the others. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still looking up at the numbers of the houses." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she daring than any effort of the imagination." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the so-precious time, but come!' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Of what day?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'How far from the body?' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in his hands." ways of our fellow-men." Eyford at 11:15.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady walking." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I nodded again. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Nothing." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Her father is very rich?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back into the bag, and made for the door. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" have I gained?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But your client--" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You forget that I know nothing about it." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." case before our client came into the room." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "In San Francisco, a year ago." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you you." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across to talk it over. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester drawing your inferences." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most occurred." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to go into your room and bar your shutters?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the do you make of it all?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself man. I know him from the photograph." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it October 9, 1890. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and himself to tell his story. main points of my analysis." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The vanishing of the lady." stammered.