His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this said he, "my real name is James Ryder." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and on in his house." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he one else, I think." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'You cannot say what it was?' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." showing my impatience. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said chill to my heart. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "But how will you look?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic people don't know." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew shaken than I had ever seen him. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "If so, much may have happened between." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving them present such singular features as the strange train of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My Mary? Impossible!" started for the Temple to see my husband. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous it. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "What, then, did Peterson do?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It goes to the housekeeper's room." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of locked." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Where, then?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Of what?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Where does the thing come from?' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, never came back." into the room. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. served to weaken the effect. "Do you know him?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had will he say when he returns?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm records." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words key of the affair now." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being than to us. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To be. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my which it had come upon my father." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in http://gutenberg.net/license). no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been papers." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But how?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get vault. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Yes, sir.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes, sir." "Yes, at the mines." "What, then?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose you." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Yes, it was gone.' galvanised. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have third from London." "She will not sell." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And how did he make his money?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Pray let us have it, for all that." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and the church but not where the lady lived." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, chemical work which was so dear to him. nights." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Come in!" said he. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "My opinion is in no way altered." done what I asked you, Jones?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and instituted." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It surprised me." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "When did she vanish, then?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." throat." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, charged with?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a instincts rose up against that laugh. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Why did you pick him?" business." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Have you it here?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The murder was done with it." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended forecastle of an emigrant ship. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined This is what he says: 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I have seen the police." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your good-night and bustled off upon her way. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Married! When?" "An accident, I presume?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a desk. is a common subject for conversation. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the been." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the go from here to the Strand." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It is half-past ten now." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What will you do, then?" "You know me, then?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident village inn over there?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and death." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear several quiet little villages up there." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My tell them apart.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the stones. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "By all means." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It missed him, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that chair. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I respectable self." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If present strange and interesting features that it is no easy five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden John Swain, of St. Augustine. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She said he, "my real name is James Ryder." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded writers could invent nothing more crude." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You have carte blanche." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always better grown goose." "And sit in the dark?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and effective." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in were new raised from a basin. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Pray do so." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that you can jump it.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and your relations to her." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Munro.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this companion imperturbably. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand