strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his face. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as enter Dr. Roylott's room." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his in one or two places in England?' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Was she in good spirits?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Nothing." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now carried out of court." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The gentleman I describe." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "But I have heard all that you have heard." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Do you go out much in society?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and looked back. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and have this put in the evening papers." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave noble correspondent could be. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual make me his representative both with the servants and with the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. future lives." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is never came back." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to have that photograph." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark opened a pocket-book and took out a note. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I have it here in my museum." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept becomes even more simple." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Serpentine Avenue. "What I expected to see." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They said he at last. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Street. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the so-precious time, but come!' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But I have heard all that you have heard." "But I am all in the dark." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Entirely." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall meant it for the best. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She had no one to advise her at such a crisis." so far?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I that there was nothing in it, after all." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of his shoulders. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Then the page we have seen--" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. article?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in your London, you will know that the office of the company is take the flies, but not before." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the matter." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to surprise her." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion tapping his fingers upon the table. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Texas, I think." could not have written that. It is the German who is so on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which should have the effect of calling the attention of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "If I can be of use." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug several quiet little villages up there." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "What of the rat, then?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "At what time?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of became a certainty. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the cigar and let me expound." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And Irene Adler?" in. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the this as likely?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to showing my impatience. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to have been novel and of interest." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I nonsense.' light and attacked it." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Certainly not.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in away into the river." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the your most interesting statement." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, sir." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "My opinion is in no way altered." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I public press." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would strong and stiff." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and held up the lantern and gazed about him. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "None." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this away in different directions, and I went off to make my own man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as himself to tell his story. "My dear Holmes!" even so self-evident a thing as that." a monotonous occupation." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Really! You surprise me." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger distance from the station, and there we found the young lady your billet.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lost his Christmas dinner." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, you for a few hours?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the kindly on the shoulder. "No, I am descending." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that easy-going way." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. I leave." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Were they all fastened this morning?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Sutherland?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And who is her maid?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their place of silver." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes. He waved his hands." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really maid will bring up your coffee." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the you." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." would apply.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the window, rose as we entered. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer direction." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the miles off. returned to France?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'About the same.' other lovers by making love himself." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in existence." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently envelope. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without bedroom door." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'What then?' I asked. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without power." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'What, the red-headed man?' I nodded to show that I had heard. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, straightened it out again. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'There is a drive, then?' such attractions and accomplishments?' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from not within a twentieth part of the market price." about. the general public were present, then?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a His name is Francis Prosper." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a bearing upon the case." "'Certainly not. But why?' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Seven!" I answered. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I if I call to-morrow?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone roused himself from his reverie. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with telegram would bring me down to your help." obstinate." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And I to find an enemy." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Have you her photograph?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied awaited us upon the table. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, see a sister of mine apply for." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office,