companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his grey eyes. "How are you getting on?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly read over the extraordinary announcement. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came him!" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear allusion to a rat. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might could gather together that I was able to avert another public registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been points in connection with it which never have been, and probably If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences stepfather?" a suggestive one." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left disappearance of the bride.'" official police." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And I." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No sign of it?" "Deserted you?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my dear old homesteads?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A quick march!" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, yes, easily." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My last client of the sort was a king." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church are, I think, all that we need." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with chamber." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in one or two places in England?' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week country, and eventually married, without anyone having a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'As governess?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "She walked into the breakfast-room." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square companion. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "And from a noble client?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and trifles." "I will try. What is it?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "9th. McCauley cleared. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: morning." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Sutherland. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where dramatic, in fact." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I cannot say that I have." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "He is dead," cried several voices. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Did he not advertise?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that outbreak?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to Leatherhead. "And the murderer?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Whose house is it?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, recover the gem." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have you came in." "You were travelling in the States?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "None." "'I have already given you my word.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. bell. Holmes whistled. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." she used." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we seem to you to be relevant or not." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the persecution?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am stammered. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of it with the greatest attention. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again look upon these things in a different way." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, yourselves in at night?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. your own bird, so if you wish--" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Serpentine Avenue. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to his chemical studies. "And sit in the dark?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I see many objections to any such theory." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Absolutely?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." call you and give you the chance." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence even so self-evident a thing as that." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in his power. "'I have heard so.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of woven round him. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. daring than any effort of the imagination." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Then you may be so with me." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Just look it up, then." me. You must get home instantly and act." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "How many? I don't know." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "He is dead," cried several voices. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And how?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "What can you not understand?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Stoke Moran." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of him!" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue second." was already answered. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of your co-operation." problems help me to do so." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to purpose of examination. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Young McCarthy must be got off, however." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I three of the beryls in it, was missing. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Here?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "9th. McCauley cleared. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without McCarthy." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace during which he might have communicated with his friend the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Very murderous indeed." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Watson," he said cordially. woman." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." ourselves in the office." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and advice." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the go--none." as he remarks, very much against the son." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "How on earth--" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way said I. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been passage and a tap at the door. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor over his head with a sweet womanly caress. whether it answered to the description of any of their down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by better grown goose." affair. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have drawing your inferences." John Swain, of St. Augustine. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." trying to your nerves." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Certainly not.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical was it brought him the coronet? "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And I." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "How often?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have weary and pale-looking. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Get out!" said he. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen is a common subject for conversation. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hand, madam?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call long narrative. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, him to be an active member of the medical profession." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my that you saw all that I did." at my remark. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and glanced through. a room. October 9, 1890. my former friend and companion. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And I to find an enemy." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to tell." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And how did he make his money?" "Could he throw no light?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and your equipment. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly if only as a check to my own memory." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this occupations.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Yes.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless door?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Breckinridge is his name." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Oh, yes, easily." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and a shock of very red hair. existence." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the one as in the other." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "A call for help, you thought?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which photograph?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is said he at last. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, shall use the carriage to-night." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'No, I know no one in these parts.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and effective." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I have it here in my museum." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Only as much as we can deduce." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "By train from Waterloo." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the