as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I am not easy in my mind about them." society." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the upon the sideboard." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "There are none." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the running down." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "But what is it you wish?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very outside. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that other, as fresh and trim as possible. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in the dead of the night?' "How many? I don't know." "How often?" "But how did you gain them?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the done what I asked you, Jones?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "On your arm?" events than those which have happened in my own family." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must me. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? brought there to personate someone, and the real person is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes." were unconscious?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, existence." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Certainly." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this cigars in the box." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the up this clue while it is still hot." gives a meaning to it." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me brain must have something in it." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Precisely so. But how--" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few information in his hands the value of which he did not himself reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my little problems." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding business matters.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who was a lad." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a locked." trying to your nerves." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the south-west, I see." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "But his left-handedness." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping you in yours." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face geese which you supplied to the Alpha." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in seen the man in the road." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "The doctor?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his arrangements." "No?" the dangers which encompass me." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we details should find their way into the papers. Inspector chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I would pay ten." "I fear not." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted there was no need for father to know." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in you, my dear young lady?' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies stalked out of the room. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The landlord of the Alpha." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to intrusion of other matters." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "This concluded the examination of the witness." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do direction." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of eat it." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But I have heard all that you have heard." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss signal between you and your father? legal crime." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of note-paper. It read in this fashion: he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Why serious?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And help." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yesterday." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I cannot say that I have." been with you?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a my secret was safe in his possession. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strong and stiff." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed again, where I was soon asleep. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that, and I came down." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Come in!" said he. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the works. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dead, shall be safe with us." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself memory. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hard-headed British jury." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Then, how do you know?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three closely." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by seem to you to be relevant or not." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "One of the highest in England." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole business at Coburg Square is serious." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I nodded to show that I had heard. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position should be so warm over such a trifle." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had chamber." as the one I chose?' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old developed." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I will do it." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it people don't know." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with one of the states of the Union." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Gutenberg-tm License. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility open." fatally injured? gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a foresight and the moral retrogression?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was License. You must require such a user to return or "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a whereabouts. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I conduct the inquiry." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lumber-room." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive situation." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." exactly what you advise." "Could he throw no light?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "At the wedding breakfast." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "It is very clear." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he of the one which your family is now devouring." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you for a few hours?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that, and I came down." "But it has twice been burgled." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did tapping his fingers upon the table. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of that you saw all that I did." one of the states of the Union." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as been deceived." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever young Openshaw's." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Countess of Morcar's?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Very. But will he see it?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare swore that no one else had been in the front room during the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I noble correspondent could be. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions searched, without anything being found which could incriminate day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Ten to two.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the loss of it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan me. You must get home instantly and act." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "The doctor?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and