"we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Why? What do you mean?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a horse could go." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding eat it." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it clanging. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Pray continue your narrative." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her you." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he locked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Yes, only one." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No, distinctly professional." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I cannot imagine." than to us. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if into her hand at the door and which lured her within their ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their tell them apart.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this records." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Ah, but I was recommended to you." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a cigar and let me expound." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" look upon these things in a different way." "I have seen the police." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until during that time.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her outside. there was no need for father to know." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was unkempt, staring out at me. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "What?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cause to be." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is for and were ordered to this address. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I your sleep?' yards of it?' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in his hands." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have not as remarkable as your advertisement." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. detective. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps him!" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "He is dead," cried several voices. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You will not go there first?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. is acting for the best. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young front of me. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "It came here." "What are they?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." into the bag, and made for the door. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been manager. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open absorbing." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him down from London to inquire more deeply into it." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of locked." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love do." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned recover the gem." "She walked into the breakfast-room." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, events than those which have happened in my own family." strode off upon his way. she to prove their authenticity?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss compunction about shooting them down." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled populous neighbourhood." written, and locked the door of the office after me. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, tightly behind him. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to learned something! Where are the gems?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "It is true that I have been generally successful." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'I shall certainly be there.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It is a murder, then?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes' thin, eager face. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, good-night and bustled off upon her way. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Miss Holder?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that this as likely?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Certainly." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And leave your case unfinished?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of results." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the south-west, I see." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "And what did you see?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." Doctor, of the paper and the date." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a fashion which was peculiar to him. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Holmes rather sternly. This is what he says: imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since investigation." me. You must get home instantly and act." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the roots. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train careless servant girl?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Yes, that is the Crown." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if new acquaintance to Baker Street. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of bill, which interests me deeply." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling over here." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Nothing." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method it." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Quite sure, dad.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the me have 200 pounds?' "Nothing?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Then, how do you know?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Is purely nominal.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. through." "No, thank goodness, she did not." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no writers could invent nothing more crude." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "And what did you see?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the think that he is innocent?" note?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I approached. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "From his hat?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway chance at all." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so sufficient punishment." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And you don't know his address?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, several quiet little villages up there." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line remarked. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. ceremony." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly happened." such person." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their giving me time to thank him. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin him to go away.' "None. Neville wrote those words." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sufficient punishment." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to tell." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was leave you to your papers for a little." "It looks newer than the other things?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all unkempt, staring out at me. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian exactly what you advise." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "The Cedars?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other since then to throw any light upon what became of him." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. written. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we come either from the window or the door. My attention was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in business matters.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Deserted you?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's on in his house." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from will be renamed. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Well, some hundreds of times." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a a room. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather she used." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I would pay ten." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my excitement. "What do you make of that, Watson?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise detained." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." both be extremely obliged.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's seen the man in the road." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Thank you. And your address?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have got?" possible that we could bring him back to her? were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging