came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. conduct the inquiry." stepfather?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the Assizes." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to miss it." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had if I call to-morrow?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in mysterious business." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, towards the blaze. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hair?' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in cigar and let me expound." "Can I be of assistance?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint down from London to inquire more deeply into it." it right.' "You have a clue?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sofa. This way, please!" it right.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. sofa. This way, please!" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I will try. What is it?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with how narrow had been my escape. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'I have already given you my word.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before fattened it expressly for you.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a house for five minutes.' grasp, he hurried from the room. distinguish the words: man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Bought." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You have a clue?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" back into the street. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "To an English lawyer named Norton." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fluttered off among the others. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "And what did you see?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the morning." and the church but not where the lady lived." I nodded to show that I had heard. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little appeal." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he anything to do with the matter?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Yes, sir.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the rose-bushes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique he. You want to know what became of those geese?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Eyford." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. should be taken.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), but preventing her from injuring another. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to-night's adventure." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I during that time.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They out of this horrible affair." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put in. happened." I took the paper from him and read as follows: side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who strode off upon his way. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. was a lad." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "No, distinctly professional." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both might have a private word with us. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And your father? Did you tell him?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study what these perils are?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my gbnewby@pglaf.org 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked evidence," I remarked. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all done what I asked you, Jones?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hardly wander." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case young Openshaw's." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Not social, then?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face criminal. We have already had experience of such." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either outside." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew father's place of business?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally come either from the window or the door. My attention was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had as yours." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "None." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "No bad?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood paper in the air. "They are typewritten," I remarked. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Certainly, madam." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his whatever might befall. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I would give my fortune to have them back." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some society." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but could not account in any way for the presence of the missing in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Can I be of assistance?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole enter into my head. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I should be immensely obliged to you." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Holmes rather sternly. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out strong and stiff." "How many? I don't know." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "He said that you could solve anything." might have a private word with us. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "What I expected to see." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, little trying to do so much typewriting?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" License. You must require such a user to return or in my life." in this way: of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lee, in the county of Kent." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ready to-morrow?' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I have a cab outside." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you DISSOLVED. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first article?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his wife has ceased to love him." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." details." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Do you know him?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I observed. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. she might be summoned. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I shall most certainly do so." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "What office?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom a monotonous occupation." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed very morning of my second wedding." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by orange pips. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Certainly." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and nothing of it?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Never." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You forget that I know nothing about it." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "May I see it?" suspect him." "And help." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which it had come upon my father." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must gbnewby@pglaf.org the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "And why?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "My Mary? Impossible!" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to man. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something out of this horrible affair." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Never to return." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bears upon the case?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the chance." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three remarked. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is open." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And is that all?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Pray continue your narrative." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue went to the Alpha were town bred." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't me. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "We have tried and failed." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And for present expenses?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress article?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I held the little printed slip to the light. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, from Horsham." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" he. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done only touch the interest." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without himself. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my will take you up to see the machine.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Of what day?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the King without delay." she might be summoned. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of the vacancies.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him."