this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about arrangements." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of this gang." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and no precautions can guard against." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Did you observe the colour?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "So I heard. You have him here?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It's nothing of the kind." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "You have a clue?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and the church but not where the lady lived." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' disappearance of the bride.'" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Did you become engaged then?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are than was visible to me." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of Fenchurch Street." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "He slept on the premises." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he delirious. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was taking in every detail of the apartment. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing strange features which were associated with the two crimes which gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of towards the blaze. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely." taking in every detail of the apartment. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Very much so." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in extraordinary contortions. "'Ten to two.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of future lives." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "No?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her opportunities to fix the problem. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this pressing in one house as in another. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he may never be exposed to such a temptation." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I house for five minutes.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood together. "Well?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "No." "I shall be delighted." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a few minutes he said that it would be all right. best detective that ever lived. over here." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of come either from the window or the door. My attention was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I fear not." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little The police have openly confessed that they can at present make away into the river." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came skylight. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming come either from the window or the door. My attention was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should what these perils are?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile upon the shelf for the interim." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so ourselves in the office." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "A call for help, you thought?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and II. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I have solved it." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but any." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Dark enough and sinister enough." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the address that was given us in the advertisement. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "So it appears." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an outside. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." man. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to-night." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He giving me time to thank him. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the roots. wall." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, lips." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday key of the affair now." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of young Openshaw's." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated meant it for the best. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your envelope. towards the blaze. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us you, my dear young lady?' "And you thought he was pulled back?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Really! You surprise me." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, you, my dear young lady?' he bowed and left the room without another word. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive 1.F. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the views." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing searched, without anything being found which could incriminate my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the matter?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which should have the effect of calling the attention of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice into the room. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Is he quiet?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the feature." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But to whom?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' never to learn it at all." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Bought." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I closely." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and which our visitor detailed to us. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "The rest you will leave in our hands." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which had formerly been in part my own. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the room. it were putty." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was our word." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez drove away. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of the efforts of the United States government and of the better hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Get out!" said he. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of woven round him. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner I nodded to show that I had heard. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, meant." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, never to learn it at all." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" character. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The guilty parties." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, if only as a check to my own memory." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." than was visible to me." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. despair." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You know me, then?" do.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then did not hear it also.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; during which he might have communicated with his friend the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Yes, it would be as well." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'About the same.' did not hear it also.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase was feeling which was the fattest.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which distinguish the words: we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did from you?" village inn over there?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, records." "My stepfather's business papers." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Nor running a chance of arrest?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I cannot as yet see any connection." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which developed." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This which are rolled in Rotterdam." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Upon what point?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up my secret was safe in his possession. have I gained?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for prisoner's face. that I can to serve you." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "In heaven's name, what for?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and he died? as yours." "'I am sure if I had known--' "And the murderer?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Where does the thing come from?' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for our word." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he chemical work which was so dear to him. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It is very kind of you." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Very. But will he see it?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "In answer to an advertisement." "And I say east," said my patient. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wedding?" the nursery. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Then I do not see the point." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have second." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black