practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." are, and they are waiting for us." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." know what is wrong with it.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the coronet at all injured?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' photograph a cabinet?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could joking. heavy and sharp instrument." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Ha! you find it so?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I know where it is." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "What then?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I other, as fresh and trim as possible. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when imbecility!" he cried. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, feature." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." there when the Rucastles went away." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of seven miles from Eyford Station.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such outbreak?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'How far from the body?' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Certainly." "We must have a cab." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Was he the only applicant?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, some terrible trap for her." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug IS change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which round and wave him away like that.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was lame." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes my room." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And is that all?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far felt?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "No. What a strange idea!" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that absorbing." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No, thank goodness, she did not." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "About a month then." "Absolutely none." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I instituted." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "The doctor?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must correct than the official force." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, a good hundred miles off by now." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'Ten to two.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white it with his own hands." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy thin legs towards the fire. article?" followed. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to she to prove their authenticity?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my secret was safe in his possession. than to us. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered over here." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the running down." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, never will be, entirely cleared up. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Witness: Nothing definite. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Imitated." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little business matters.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." are, and they are waiting for us." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Ha! you find it so?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But of what society?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "One of his hands." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "By no means." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the page at http://pglaf.org pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase locked. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Yes." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Arthur Conan Doyle run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "What will you do, then?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Quite so." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But you were on a friendly footing?" Holmes. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side pierced for earrings?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in the hope of finding them." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." it means?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lost his Christmas dinner." lumber-room." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Of what day?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your against a man in the prime of life?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which has little to do with my story." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and your relations to her." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood assist you in forming an opinion." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to miss it." "Dr. Becher's." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is out of this horrible affair." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations in the dead of the night?' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I am to be neutral?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Certainly, madam." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what man. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my in this note: tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "That you are never beaten." married her." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And you thought he was pulled back?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Come in!" said Holmes. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Mary, has deserted me." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Pope's Court. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Where is it, then?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was a perfect sample of the class. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Tired-looking or fresh?" "By no means." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was it brought him the coronet? the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we His name is Francis Prosper." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What!" he roared. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique footfalls from the street. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced chill to my heart. ceremony." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to that open window." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes, from Horsham." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "The landlord of the Alpha." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such locked." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to tell." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be my room." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, taking in every detail of the apartment. "Was the window open?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling one of them." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which populous neighbourhood." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, with her." fat-encircled eyes. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling business in the City. She little knew what. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the south-west, I see." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become good-night and bustled off upon her way. asked. to some other building. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, late." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I promise," said Holmes. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who more terrible than the truth. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Munro.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Ten to two.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady than to us. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "No, but the enclosure is." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my conduct the inquiry." are, and they are waiting for us." "That is it on the dressing-table." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "There is the writing." your billet.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The police have openly confessed that they can at present make trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "She told me to ask you." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when together. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere speckled band?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask will find little credit to be gained out of this case." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Game for a morning drive?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. chamber." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands