are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I know where it is." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his disappearance of the bride.'" My friend smiled. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you in yours." cigar and let me expound." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Pray be precise as to details," said he. conclusions. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." head. So long, then!" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, garden below. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Gutenberg-tm License. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless he. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he became a certainty. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite your Highness to the police-station?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for correct than the official force." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No legal papers or certificates?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend forebodings. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That be best to do. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind newspaper selections." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And when will you call?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Of Friday, June 19th." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end her also." hour." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Of Friday, June 19th." detective. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I approached. despair." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to on in his house." it." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger him nearly every evening." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." again on its way. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and get the tickets." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, was a lad." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. handed it to him. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an formed some opinion?" "Very. But will he see it?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my miles off. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "But you can know nothing of this?" guilty parties." that you saw all that I did." "And you thought he was pulled back?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal This is what he says: "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'I have heard so.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no trifles." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'How far from the body?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But you have hopes?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin or in danger--" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' examine." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been vanished into the darkness. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fire. You quite follow me?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been shamefully used." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Yes, all." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare success. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No, but the enclosure is." tail." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "My opinion is in no way altered." back alive. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Precisely so. But how--" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going where she found matters as described by the last witness. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "What office?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to has little to do with my story." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I will not look." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "We were both in the photograph." hurried away. "Thank you. And your address?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better From what you have told me I think that it is possible that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dead, shall be safe with us." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, events, Mr. Windibank!" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked humiliation." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I should wish to." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the used to be." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Yes, all." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." your Highness to the police-station?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the it. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I will, Miss Turner." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the this unhappy family?" you do it in twenty minutes!' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You are certainly joking, Holmes." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a little more before I quite committed myself. nonsense.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally all-comprehensive glances. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" there has been an enclosure here!" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. hardly wander." "Never to return." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to his chemical studies. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of look upon these things in a different way." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this closely." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and tapping his fingers upon the table. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Ha! you find it so?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making a monotonous occupation." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, some hundreds of times." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon happened." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I any more." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, definite end. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are mystery." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only his grey eyes. there in twenty minutes." the salesman. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, kind enough to tell me what I should do." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. second." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And your father? Did you tell him?" flock.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and put his glass in his pocket. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. events than those which have happened in my own family." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you my special province." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked be.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she characteristics, but those are the more obvious." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fatally injured? the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "You think that he is dead?" as yours." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front next day. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. written, and locked the door of the office after me. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen indeed happy." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and laid it on the table. the King without delay." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your whether it answered to the description of any of their Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Holmes." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' used to be." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, directors, with the result that you have seen." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been shamefully used." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to meant it for the best. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I hands. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned chance at all." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Thank you. And your address?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Leadenhall Street--and--" hands. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the room while you explain this matter?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with noble correspondent could be. "Entirely." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The note was undated, and without either signature or address. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for never came back." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and no precautions can guard against." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases suddenly upon us." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that look upon these things in a different way." outside. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "In the cells." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and ashen face. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from o'clock is it?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard manager. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "None." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of tell me that you intended to go into harness." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you straightened it out again. side. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I