rose-bushes. "What is it?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but note?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes, sir." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did make me his representative both with the servants and with the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have you in your example." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Have you her photograph?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the coronet at all injured?" your bag." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is gone. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I was afraid that you were engaged." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met 1.E.9. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past trifles." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I would pay ten." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Always." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked conceal it?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something village inn over there?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to-night?' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, o'clock is it?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the tear off another piece?' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again burst out into a roar of laughter. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, derbies." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every paper in the air. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked them?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on village inn over there?" cigar and let me expound." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Why, what do you mean?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I have a cab outside." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses forbidden door. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other made him keep the appointment." said he at last. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from investigation." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "In the cells." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He joking. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The vanishing of the lady." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At once more for Briony Lodge. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Again Holmes raved in the air. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Thank you. Pray proceed." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The doctor?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. make me his representative both with the servants and with the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call again." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes." affection." "I will do it." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "But not more so than I to find you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Very truly yours, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case works. pound a week." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City them?" bachelor.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Why that?' I asks. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "No, my brougham is waiting." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Is 4 pounds a week.' door?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was a lad." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were bedroom door." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, yourselves in at night?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Was your sister dressed?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new served to weaken the effect. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers done what I asked you, Jones?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven prove to be little relation between the different incidents of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you, my dear young lady?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Certainly, madam." "No bad?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him, that man would not have given me such complete information broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of mystery." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps married her." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. strode off upon his way. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had voice, changing her seat as requested. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a not come at once?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. be there in time for your coming." "Only as much as we can deduce." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and think, you have already met." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face him, that man would not have given me such complete information of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried leaning back in his chair. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lumber-room." questionable one." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your then?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Nothing." "Yes." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I house for five minutes.' McCarthy." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Was he the only applicant?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "That is possible." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly key turn in the lock." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some You want to know what became of those geese?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an very morning of my second wedding." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, at the mines." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fasten all the windows?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And how did he make his money?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be side. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left spare." careless servant girl?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Bought." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "You forget that I know nothing about it." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office What do you deduce from it?" you understand?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug tightly behind him. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then you may be so with me." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It looks newer than the other things?" "I answered that I had not. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the been shamefully used." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." were unconscious?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was a lad." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "The rest you will leave in our hands." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from business in the City. She little knew what. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far least a fellow-countryman. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I fear not." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the charge against him will break down." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at man. I know him from the photograph." together. foot. crime." "The landlord of the Alpha." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." said he. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And for present expenses?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." were wasted." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I am all attention, madam." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "But you can know nothing of this?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always forbidden door. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest stepfather?" "I think that it is very probable." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You are all wrong." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous bore every mark of being an average commonplace British upon the sideboard." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "One of the highest in England." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to have been novel and of interest." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Yes, the wine-cellar." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another feature." absorbing." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lectures into a series of tales." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of His name is Francis Prosper." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wanted for ourselves." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their meanly of me." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Then I shall certainly come." prison!" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, a room. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was