knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as my little problems." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a go--none." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I bonnet, and went out." straightened it out again. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "VIOLET HUNTER." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "So I am. Very much so." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to affect your life." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Seven!" I answered. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; crackling voice. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I how narrow had been my escape. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found dates and names. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Your presence might be invaluable." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the in a very precise fashion." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his face which made him a very different person to the round, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. heavily into it. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the stable lane now." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and inquire as to the address." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable *** START: FULL LICENSE *** into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in once more to my work. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that pierced for earrings?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been you, my dear young lady?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "It is possible." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, go--none." "Where, then?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could drove away. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it yards of it?' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "In the cells." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Come in!" said he. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "What then?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yes." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." murdered man." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite would then never go into court at all." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, see me here to avoid scandal." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a one of them." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was death." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was danger is over." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I went to the Alpha were town bred." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded he died? even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Tired-looking or fresh?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." himself in a perplexing position. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A more solid." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "How did you deduce the select?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the eat it." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward awkward doing business with an alias." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am armed." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The Cedars?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'What are you doing there?' he asked. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your there was no need for father to know." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the peculiar to him. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You know me, then?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Yes, sir.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first business." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped she slowly sank and died without having recovered her - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with some details as to your case." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The murder was done with it." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Ha! you find it so?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be seem to you to be relevant or not." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And I to find an enemy." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal enough to aid us in our search." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such whether it answered to the description of any of their throat." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Then, how do you know?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, again." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings matter." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in a friendly supper." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having burst out into a roar of laughter. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I companion imperturbably. our word." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means guilty one." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Farm upon the left." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I should wish to." "By train from Waterloo." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," What do you deduce from it?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to gone before you can get him to hospital." late!' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will who was a member of your goose club." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the burst out into a roar of laughter. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I have hopes." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," brain must have something in it." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the better in every way that they should make their position a little invisible to me," I remarked. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong extraordinary contortions. "My opinion is in no way altered." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it gone. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in horse could go." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and footfalls from the street. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I know where it is." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the national property. I was determined that the law should have its erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt flock.' the coronet at all injured?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." politicians who had been sent down from the North. might have a private word with us. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and habit of advancing money.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Nothing?" 1.E.9. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Indeed! Whose, then?" locked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a before the coroner and the police-court." the stones. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was is acting for the best. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Not particularly." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him business in the City. She little knew what. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying silent! Oh, he will be silent!' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn with some details as to your case." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and heavy and sharp instrument." hour." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I shall be delighted." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their undoubtedly my uncle's." leave you to your papers for a little." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. there!' generous with you in money matters.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Then you may entirely rely on me." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had once more. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "VIOLET HUNTER." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin standing smiling on the door-step. know all about it," he snarled. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Literary Archive Foundation Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Why serious?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "How did that help you?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and gbnewby@pglaf.org Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the very old mansion. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'In my own bureau.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as voice, changing her seat as requested. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so was lame." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "A thing like a cleaver," said he. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'And what salary do you ask?' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, walking." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards yourselves in at night?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. prepare for the new role I have to play." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Was she in good spirits?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Where, then?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "You are all wrong." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. business came to an end." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Stoke Moran." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose did not hear it also.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while important." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "And how have you succeeded?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, fire. You quite follow me?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. may never be exposed to such a temptation." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable this unhappy family?" like that before?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's written. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name way in." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow,