a very grave face. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I cannot tell." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been records." fasten all the windows?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Upon what point?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "My last client of the sort was a king." "But she could not love him." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "But his left-handedness." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. there has been an enclosure here!" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "The Coroner: What do you mean? "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the rat could hardly pass through." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his views." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Pray let us have it, for all that." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the window, rose as we entered. on in his house." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by get the tickets." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It is possible." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now see me here to avoid scandal." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, prisoner's face. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" bled considerably." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Very truly yours, this remarkable episode. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have one." "I am in hopes that she does." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Only as much as we can deduce." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you, my dear young lady?' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I am armed." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "We must have a cab." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my locked." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down really the only notable feature about the thing." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than that I may have something better before very many minutes are stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. help us in this matter." to some other building. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was feeling which was the fattest.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the ceiling. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got if only as a check to my own memory." do." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see your sleep?' disappearance of these gems?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in could not have written that. It is the German who is so to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Is purely nominal.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the chemical work which was so dear to him. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental other lovers by making love himself." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to take care of herself." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her your billet.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the one as in the other." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in which our visitor detailed to us. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems troubles have been weighing upon his mind. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these our word." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Holmes' room. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "No good news?" anything to do with the matter?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," than was visible to me." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "But she could not love him." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his helping a boy to put up the shutters. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hopeless attempt at recovering them." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "No good news?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." presume?" lips." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "And what did you see?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to miss it." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another kind enough to tell me what I should do." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'And the work?' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very as noiselessly as she had come. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "What!" he roared. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so than was visible to me." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice redistribution. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his wife has ceased to love him." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss miles off. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I writer." lamp. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without himself to hunt down. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I electronic works eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Why did you beat the pavement?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And is that all?" "'About the same.' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Never." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Surrey." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And what then?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw better in every way that they should make their position a little (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project orange pips. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his looking up at the numbers of the houses." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand little adventures." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I dates and names. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then investigation." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and I shall be with you presently." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what colonel looking down at me. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes tension within him. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found some mystery and the punishment of some crime." yards of it?' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and nice household for a young lady." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Of what day?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Holmes' face clouded over. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And your father? Did you tell him?" married her." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should man. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting trying to your nerves." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can galvanised. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me beg that you will break it off." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" do." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of been shamefully used." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the side-table." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Thank you. And your address?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. awkward doing business with an alias." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was pierced for earrings?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Yes. He waved his hands." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Project Gutenberg-tm works. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Why did you beat the pavement?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution man. I know him from the photograph." fled together." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and figure." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes, only one." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and what do you think they found in the pockets?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, photograph?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, all." "Stoke Moran?" said he. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Very truly yours, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Never." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the following enigmatical notices: post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen disturbance in my wife." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and inquire as to the address." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new o'clock is it?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too colonel looking down at me. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "My dear Holmes!" some water from a caraffe. "But how will you look?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not October 9, 1890. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "You will not go there first?" plantation.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in dates and names. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'What, the red-headed man?' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as