"'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not over with notes and figures. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything crackling voice. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Cross for the Continent." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for flock.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly suggested at once that there must be a communication between the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in maid will bring up your coffee." as the one I chose?' shaken than I had ever seen him. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had her also." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But I am all in the dark." "And it is--" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "He said that you could solve anything." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the it right.' "The vanishing of the lady." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a him!" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" upon the shelf for the interim." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "None." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But how did you gain them?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Yes, it was twisted." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for way in everything. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you room had already been engaged for us. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "How many? I don't know." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Did you become engaged then?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination said I. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. secret." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to have that photograph." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the station." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the humiliation." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "The decline of his fortunes, then?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving again, where I was soon asleep. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on will take you up to see the machine.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three do." despaired of." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And on what day did he meet his death?" telegram would bring me down to your help." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It is true that I have been generally successful." me where it went to?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wedding?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a annoyance, but no jest. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one chambers. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in said he. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, speckled band?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That is easily got." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found companion. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fatally injured? his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in his hands." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of events, Mr. Windibank!" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Precisely so. But how--" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler know all about it," he snarled. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "By train from Waterloo." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the coronet in his hand?" "I cannot imagine." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The it." stammered. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to-morrow." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded recover the gem." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It must be recovered." crime." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "But how?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No sign of it?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Where, indeed?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe companion quietly. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, feature." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "What do you mean?" disturbance in my wife." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so them present such singular features as the strange train of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "On the contrary, this is the right side." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, just called myself is not exactly my own." arrangements." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I have my revolver," said I. "I will not look." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for chambers. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to a light-house. "The landlord of the Alpha." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and call the police, let the police find what they can.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and no precautions can guard against." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." will he say when he returns?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "And what did you learn from him?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, noble correspondent could be. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be details." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And how?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I do." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine know what is wrong with it.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four colour had been driven from his face. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Stolen." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You think that he is dead?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Get out!" said he. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a clang of the bell. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Yes." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the date of his supposed suicide." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, quickly through a disagreeable task. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Dark enough and sinister enough." the matter." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the King without delay." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in this note: his cane at the bell-pull. less than 26s. 4d. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the inner apartment." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned http://www.gutenberg.net opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "10th. John Swain cleared. awaited us upon the table. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, lost his Christmas dinner." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." you came in." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the His name is Francis Prosper." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more were wasted." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Yes, but only for you and me." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that threaten you." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Where to?' amused." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is man. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or one of the states of the Union." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that colonel looking down at me. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than how narrow had been my escape. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "From his hat?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." you." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" think that he is innocent?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. golden eyeglasses. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Stoke Moran?" said he. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the trifles." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that married her." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the