"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the dangers which encompass me." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to when your master had gone out." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I matter." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax gives a meaning to it." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "May I see it?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of this gang." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "No, I am descending." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," read it out to me." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Certainly, madam." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has were wasted." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until him to go away.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And why?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as my former friend and companion. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her His smile broadened. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, to-night?" I asked. room?" morning." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though obstinate." "9th. McCauley cleared. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "There are none." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Countess of Morcar's?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little lamp in his hand. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What will you say?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'I am sure that I do not know.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to-night?' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon the shelf for the interim." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this upon a handsome competence. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of o'clock is it?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland companion imperturbably. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Here?" "To an end?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "So I am. Very much so." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing gone before you can get him to hospital." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the bottom.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I see many objections to any such theory." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and matter." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe next day. Holmes' face clouded over. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Really! You surprise me." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few http://www.gutenberg.net it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "What, then, did Peterson do?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. sparkled upon his finger. The summons was a brief and urgent one. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But you have hopes?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and prosperity to your house. Good-night." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Well, it is a possible supposition." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "How did you trace it, then?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a retorted upon me, and I on you." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was speckled band?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in case-book, which he consulted. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was direction." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that better in every way that they should make their position a little "By no means." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." depend upon your compliance." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more presented which may be striking and bizarre without being The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, before, for it was considerably after midnight. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I beg pardon." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." narrative." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no head. So long, then!" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Certainly." Heh?' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in at once, for I have only half an hour." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "The landlord of the Alpha." "And I." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'It is locked up,' I answered. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes, sir." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have would then never go into court at all." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "A client, then?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of weighed down with some great anxiety. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, compunction about shooting them down." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in him to be an active member of the medical profession." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, them?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ordinary clothes on?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For south, for the country is more deserted there." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to some other building. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little what is your own theory as to what took place?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Count Von Kramm." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he attention." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and the colonel ushered me in. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Yes." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It is very kind of you." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped over here." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily new duties?' "Why? What do you mean?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his himself to tell his story. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But I have heard all that you have heard." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yes, all." "Yes, all." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "The gentleman I describe." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ordinary clothes on?" that you saw all that I did." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a good hundred miles off by now." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles foot. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' there was no need for father to know." coat-tails." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Heh?' there is a decided draught." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Were they all fastened this morning?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my putting in the horse. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "None." Holmes' face clouded over. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "That is easily got." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Stoke Moran." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. photograph a cabinet?" gbnewby@pglaf.org We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly nonsense.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a this remarkable episode. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the coronet in his hand?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's help us in this matter." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and glanced through. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have not had my rubber." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'Is 4 pounds a week.' business." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "He is still with you, I presume?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. for securing the situation." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have her also." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now DISSOLVED. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I beg pardon." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some over with notes and figures. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what