and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'And what salary do you ask?' round and wave him away like that.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I say it is." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of a light. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He relation between them, and what the object of his repeated he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Certainly not.' chamber." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But he might be a bachelor." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Again Holmes raved in the air. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Really! You surprise me." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of fine shops and stately business premises that they really face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty completely overtopped every other consideration that we both copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until second." "How did that help you?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood galvanised. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "9th. McCauley cleared. footfalls from the street. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I held the little printed slip to the light. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yesterday." "Why? What do you mean?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate this as likely?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Arthur Conan Doyle quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and a shock of very red hair. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, seven miles from Eyford Station.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to narrative." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive becomes even more simple." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "That was it, sir." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish bare slabs of marble. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "How did you deduce the select?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a both be extremely obliged.' "How do you know, then?" amused." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And then?" bears upon the case?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Yes." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an she might be summoned. "And sit in the dark?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to have that photograph." must be when I saw the door open.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. questionable one." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Yes." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the roots. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "9th. McCauley cleared. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. you." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "But I am all in the dark." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to extraordinary contortions. "And it is--" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You think that he is dead?" "No." "And for present expenses?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of up this clue while it is still hot." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual habit of advancing money.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may do." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that all-comprehensive glances. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of it with the greatest attention. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the exactly what you advise." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. see a sister of mine apply for." gentleman's clothes. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled other lovers by making love himself." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You are all wrong." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Frequently." orange pips. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing ago." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Holmes' face clouded over. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of emerged. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you room had already been engaged for us. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united closing the door. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use morning." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All back into the street. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if see me here to avoid scandal." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove in his power. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, started for the Temple to see my husband. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE here." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day imbecility!" he cried. be. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, it would be as well." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I shall be delighted." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and But Holmes shook his head gravely. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. lamp. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "How can you tell that?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were about. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or beg that you will break it off." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Of what?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send business in the City. She little knew what. "Texas, I think." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "10th. John Swain cleared. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting disappearance of the bride.'" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the coronet in his hands?" learned something! Where are the gems?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your occupations.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It certainly sounds feasible." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But of what society?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice maid will bring up your coffee." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your lost his Christmas dinner." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came gigantic client. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' there has been an enclosure here!" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault matter." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Project Gutenberg-tm works. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in the dead of the night?' hopeless attempt at recovering them." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she used to be." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "But how?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had down. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the even of instruction." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and status with the IRS. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Here?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only some city in a dream. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and paper in the air. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Oh, fresh and glossy." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no companion imperturbably. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Where, then?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be do you make of it all?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the distinguish the words: hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by indeed happy." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And the cigar-holder?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' delighted to hear it," he said. corner of the building. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I bled considerably." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for both be extremely obliged.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." matter." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet weapon." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we business?" man. I know him from the photograph." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew What do you deduce from it?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No, but the enclosure is." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a me. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the long narrative. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through whatever might befall. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Sholtos." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw peculiar to him. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "My dear Holmes!" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture stalked out of the room. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious them present such singular features as the strange train of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?"