nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and the whole place is in a blaze." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "By all means." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who question," said Holmes, smiling. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to change my dress. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And you can do nothing until then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the several quiet little villages up there." "Nearly eleven." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And did you observe any change in her then?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in about here speaks of his kindness to him." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Now, then, what's the last entry?" me." joking. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. might help us?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "No, I am descending." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in heavily into it. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But to whom?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Not in the least." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I say it is." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very old mansion. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as will find little credit to be gained out of this case." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, chambers. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. of." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." his forehead." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is several quiet little villages up there." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the inner apartment." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the roots. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I am about to be married." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. returned to France?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "But you were on a friendly footing?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "In the cells." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Witness: It was. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the society." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as without a word or a look. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. heavy and sharp instrument." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers dramatic, in fact." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to acquaintance?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction place no limit on the sum I may draw." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United comes from the middle window." the child." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face from the brougham. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were heavy and sharp instrument." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "None." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in one or two places in England?' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court outbreak?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND business." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. here." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became vanished into the darkness. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Dr. Becher's." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a tell me that you intended to go into harness." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "There are none." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual appeared upon the scene." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the side-table." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some awkward doing business with an alias." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a lectures into a series of tales." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the joking. "I am all attention, madam." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Ample." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, back alive. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into comes from the middle window." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel little trying to do so much typewriting?" hurried away. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is a murder, then?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Ha! you find it so?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let promised to bring home. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the golden eyeglasses. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and instincts rose up against that laugh. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had For additional contact information: four million human beings all jostling each other within the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I say that I have solved it." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. throat." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Precisely." "We must have a cab." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of him." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be skylight. "But what harm can there be in that?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Was there a secret marriage?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of said he. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to change my dress. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Certainly not. But why?' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." again, where I was soon asleep. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your relation between them, and what the object of his repeated He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Does that suggest anything?" wedding?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all time." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came you." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I have hopes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the so-precious time, but come!' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such despair." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What! a murderous attack?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an way in everything. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and will not take me long to tell. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this again on its way. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to me. You must get home instantly and act." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my occurred." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Was he the only applicant?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Pray continue your narrative." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And on what day did he meet his death?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in about here speaks of his kindness to him." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "So I have heard." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yesterday." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Well?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a formed some opinion?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my License. You must require such a user to return or "By no means." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to generous with you in money matters.' "Certainly." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings empty. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I national property. I was determined that the law should have its reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but envelope. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that, and I came down." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting them?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Murdered?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the very morning of the wedding." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Not I." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the side-table." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sake, don't!" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pictures, libraries, or plate. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing later, upon the night of May 2nd." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of man. I know him from the photograph." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to he died? Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his nights." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "What, then, did Peterson do?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until question you as to those details which seem to me to be most home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I have solved it." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; man. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "A call for help, you thought?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other if she died from some sudden fright." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "What is it, then--a fire?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I already referred to. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No good news?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our your billet.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gives a meaning to it." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lumber-room." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "My last client of the sort was a king." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those presented more singular features than that which was associated was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day