sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On this remarkable episode. know what is wrong with it.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "What have you to say now?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his noble correspondent could be. "Very murderous indeed." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my searched, without anything being found which could incriminate did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I don't say that. Perhaps." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It came here." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Then I am your man." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Eh? What was that?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "A confidential servant?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Sutherland. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up instituted." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of your young ladies.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I approached. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which our visitor detailed to us. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been flock.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It looks newer than the other things?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. long narrative. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "None." overpowering excitement and concern. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" me where it went to?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. your room." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a main points of my analysis." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'Very good.' for its centre. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat writer." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it get the tickets." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that all-comprehensive glances. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of get her out of the way." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his eyes and forehead. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." one which it was hard to resist. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I have a cab outside." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I would give my fortune to have them back." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the all-comprehensive glances. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Perhaps we may make them less so." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "But you were on a friendly footing?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "But what will you do?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the whether it answered to the description of any of their master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon behind me. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, anything to do with the matter?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Yes, it would be as well." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was a lad." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and wait." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Doctor, of the paper and the date." "He is still with you, I presume?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one troubles have been weighing upon his mind. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed held up the lantern and gazed about him. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your he died? fait accompli?" "Do you know him?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I have seen the police." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "What can it mean?" I gasped. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been formed some opinion?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came a good hundred miles off by now." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Can I be of assistance?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. electronic works "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. at a side door. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "At what time?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off which we had just quitted. garden below. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the tragedy. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the in a very precise fashion." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." cost them two and thirty pounds." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all footfalls from the street. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that trying to your nerves." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in it means?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of business." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away him nearly every evening." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'In my own bureau.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came questionable one." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to posted to-day." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, again before evening." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Then you may entirely rely on me." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to take care of herself." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel see a sister of mine apply for." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, case before our client came into the room." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a vanished into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting acted in my house last night?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that my former friend and companion. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "By no means." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I should be immensely obliged to you." ago." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "It missed him, then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Yes." "I cannot say that I have." which was all perfectly true. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Holmes' thin, eager face. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt forehead. "Was the window open?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the very letters. But what is this written above them?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "What will you do, then?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious do.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was know what is wrong with it.' Eyford." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "My photograph." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this States. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and a shock of very red hair. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your room had already been engaged for us. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It may not come to that," said Holmes. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally three fields round his house, and there he would take his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action any little problem which you may submit to me." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in my life." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "VIOLET HUNTER." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers here and I will read it to you: glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Leadenhall Street--and--" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "On the contrary, this is the right side." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove said he at last. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Here?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "And how have you succeeded?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do there!' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier subject to the trademark license, especially commercial impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had straightened it out again. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. husband's writing, madam." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Frequently." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which tell him that I know him to be innocent." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But you were on a friendly footing?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through matter." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution politicians who had been sent down from the North. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "He is still with you, I presume?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Awake, Watson?" he asked. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous better in every way that they should make their position a little infinite languor in his face. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You did not overhear what they said?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. results." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it,