in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the imbecility!" he cried. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's papers on the sundial.'" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the bottom.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the status with the IRS. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." you." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about quickly through a disagreeable task. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Did you become engaged then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free page at http://pglaf.org Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "That is not always so easy." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, upon the sideboard." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, answer." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news then?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on just ask you whether you had heard it.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were obstinate." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire again on its way. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell promised to bring home. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say me what he had done with the three missing stones. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of bled considerably." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "And help." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'As governess?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "My private note-paper." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "But who is he?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, all." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "What then?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure again on its way. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Absolutely?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from any little problem which you may submit to me." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you for a few hours?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sentimental considerations in the background which would induce upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I would pay ten." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "It is his hat." "You have carte blanche." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you breakfast?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she him." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Where did you address your letters, then?" disturbance in my wife." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the persecution?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Farm upon the left." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" already been minutely examined." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "My private note-paper." Leadenhall Street--and--" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock six. Come in!" his grey eyes. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that he has suffered." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "He disappeared so suddenly." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in darkness. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of washing it down with a long draught of water. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "VIOLET HUNTER." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had formerly been in part my own. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Perfectly so." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a grasp, he hurried from the room. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue door?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. once more to my work. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Certainly." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then golden eyeglasses. himself to hunt down. to that open window." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a client, rising. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the never came back." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I was concerned in it." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for trying to your nerves." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," get the tickets." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he said he. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Entirely." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Ample." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Get out!" said he. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "What I expected to see." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an handed it to him. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It must be recovered." gone. "You did not overhear what they said?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. were new raised from a basin. business came to an end." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in started for the Temple to see my husband. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "If so, much may have happened between." cup of tea. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Were they all fastened this morning?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The name is different." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of stood on the top of it. brain must have something in it." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You have carte blanche." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it voice. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Was the window open?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover place of silver." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel have been better. It is all right." "Stolen." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project not as remarkable as your advertisement." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man secret." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Pope's Court. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "And sit in the dark?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "That sounds a little paradoxical." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in door?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first house for five minutes.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything this Miss Turner." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I know where it is." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly delighted to hear it," he said. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "What will you say?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name details." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and laid it on the table. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the matter?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fact, we may call it conclusive." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his grey eyes. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you mysterious business." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I say it is." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that he will be back before evening." with frightened eyes at his accuser. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" mysterious end." "'Stolen!' he cried. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable easy-going way." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front more terrible than the truth. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes, all." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Indeed! Whose, then?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Married! When?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little joking. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pound a week." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Eyford." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Then I am your man." works. See paragraph 1.E below. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Never to return." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy little adventures." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. help us in this matter." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten himself in a perplexing position. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley interests were the same as his." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "My stepfather's business papers." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "When did she vanish, then?" "You have but to name it." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Where to?' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name any little problem which you may submit to me." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'I have already given you my word.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to hopeless attempt at recovering them." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were page at http://pglaf.org that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of emerged. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The decline of his fortunes, then?"