"I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "The decline of his fortunes, then?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to letters?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the cheerful." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and capable of preserving a secret.' "From his hat?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Her father is very rich?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Pray continue your narrative." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Very truly yours, "I shall most certainly do so." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the colonel ushered me in. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a drawing your inferences." asked with his eyes open. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point time." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Texas, I think." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No?" "In the cells." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the joking. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and have this put in the evening papers." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be mystery." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Very good.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "That was it, sir." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the wall." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the mystery may be cleared along those lines." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for http://gutenberg.net/license). well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at awaited us upon the table. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting it." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, best detective that ever lived. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she father's young wife. hair?' business." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official whatever might befall. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a His name is Francis Prosper." interests were the same as his." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To became a certainty. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been amused." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'It is locked up,' I answered. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his strength in the others." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "What have you to say now?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine prison!" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. giving me time to thank him. brain must have something in it." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. opportunities to fix the problem. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at garden below. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about these bleak autumnal evenings." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'What then?' I asked. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the annoyance, but no jest. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from felt?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or dear old homesteads?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But it has twice been burgled." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge power." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "She will not sell." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. residence of the great financier. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "We were both in the photograph." are windows in it, of course?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Dirty?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too weigh very heavily upon my conscience." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were wanted for ourselves." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Was she in good spirits?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Then I shall certainly come." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Entirely." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to happened." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What will you do, then?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its asked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that little trying to do so much typewriting?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, said I. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Certainly." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, undoubtedly my uncle's." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You don't mind breaking the law?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Of what day?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." hour." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Pray do so." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very lips." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite down. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Witness: Nothing definite. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to that open window." indeed which he could not unravel. the Assizes." "It is possible." in the dead of the night?' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Of Friday, June 19th." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which my former friend and companion. thin legs towards the fire. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "She will not sell." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here asked with his eyes open. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, which our visitor detailed to us. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." cup of tea. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed be. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and child?' "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "He slept on the premises." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Where, then, is my wife?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said newspaper selections." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the empty. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure his wife has ceased to love him." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it sufficient punishment." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the your Highness to the police-station?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. derbies." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the child." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And the murderer?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." gigantic client. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Pray do so." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project get her out of the way." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "How did you trace it, then?" "How on earth--" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and have this put in the evening papers." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "When did it break out?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is be there in time for your coming." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so least a most suspicious remark." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My as noiselessly as she had come. "Nothing?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "A confidential servant?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" noting anything else of interest. lamp in his hand. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as sparkled upon his finger. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Chief Executive and Director ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My despair." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you understand?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." a little more before I quite committed myself. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, which our visitor detailed to us. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him