girl said." him." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his invisible to me," I remarked. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the directors, with the result that you have seen." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a at a side door. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that you can jump it.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "By all means." house for five minutes.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to arrive at through this?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "And now?" He raised his hand. mysterious end." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking triumphant cloud from his cigarette. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some papers must be those that are destroyed.' best detective that ever lived. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was License. You must require such a user to return or calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to skylight. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Stolen." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We frequently gained my first real insight into the character of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with the outside air!" to talk it over. "How can you tell that?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by how narrow had been my escape. "But you have hopes?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself him to be an active member of the medical profession." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than used to be." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put carriage. It was a chestnut." held up the lantern and gazed about him. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, from Horsham." records." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Yes, it was gone.' thin legs towards the fire. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door what do you think they found in the pockets?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hereditary King of Bohemia." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that congratulate you again." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special out of this horrible affair." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced His name is Francis Prosper." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my gives a meaning to it." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, forehead. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a face and glided from the room. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, place no limit on the sum I may draw." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "On your arm?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." my friend's incisive reasoning. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I cannot tell." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered possible that we could bring him back to her? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. back to my heart. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the crime." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "But the mystery?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in one or two places in England?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez off." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a as noiselessly as she had come. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and yourselves in at night?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very again." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I see many objections to any such theory." security.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not impression behind it as though a window had gently closed relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "By train from Waterloo." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Married! When?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "So I am. Very much so." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "At half-wages, in fact." instincts rose up against that laugh. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other lovers by making love himself." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You have the photograph?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes, at the mines." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "But how could you guess what the motive was?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the brandy and water within his reach. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But of what society?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what that I can to serve you." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a people in all walks of life. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." place of silver." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, cigar and let me expound." "No." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Did your wife hear all this?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the fear." "I cannot say that I have." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there during which he might have communicated with his friend the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but direction." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "In answer to an advertisement." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'I have already given you my word.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in look upon these things in a different way." imbecility!" he cried. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the very letters. But what is this written above them?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was dear old homesteads?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There key turn in the lock." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" away to you." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Perhaps we may make them less so." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And how have you succeeded?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to miss it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in in a very precise fashion." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an do you make of it all?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I am following you closely," I answered. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and the church but not where the lady lived." crowd. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes' room. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes. He waved his hands." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the foot. "No legal papers or certificates?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know emerged. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "No. His orders were to stay in the house." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and all of them with the keenest interest. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon man. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do written. Mrs. Toller serenely. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I way in everything. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that photograph a cabinet?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. It may be so in this case, also." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No. What a strange idea!" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which it had come upon my father." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and my room." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I October 9, 1890. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right chance." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon clanging. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez so far?" power." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What are they?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent business at Coburg Square is serious." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the wall." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a disappearance of the bride.'" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in there!' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let signal between you and your father? was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Was she in good spirits?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I am in hopes that she does." up this clue while it is still hot." "Where, indeed?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great