sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the me have 200 pounds?' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. if only as a check to my own memory." "'A dozen yards or so.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Get out!" said he. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after question. "Yes, only one." legal crime." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." if only as a check to my own memory." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And is that all?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But what will you do?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Where did he live, then?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. your co-operation." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Murdered?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in him." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was keenly on my guard against him. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What will you do, then?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily public press." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I will do it." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. mystery may be cleared along those lines." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have tell him that I know him to be innocent." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then bill, which interests me deeply." What do you deduce from it?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No more words. Get out!" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him unprecedented a position." "Then what has happened to him?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and secret." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or despair." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you few hundred pounds.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the roots. have one." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I shall communicate with you." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as case-book, which he consulted. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any again before evening." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you your own bird, so if you wish--" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods http://www.gutenberg.net records." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Eyford at 11:15.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When tapping his fingers upon the table. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my on in his house." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hard-headed British jury." "No more words. Get out!" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in my life." "That's no good." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "9th. McCauley cleared. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Will you go?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it rat could hardly pass through." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to some other building. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. we went to search for him, face downward in a little rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Did you observe the colour?" you in yours." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I cannot tell." door?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fire. You quite follow me?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Dr. Becher's." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" strong and stiff." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very were wasted." distinguish the words: down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Street. "His face fell immediately. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my hour." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Heh?' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the tragedy. girl said." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'I have heard so.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Stolen." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the written, and locked the door of the office after me. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." straighten it?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was a loud and authoritative tap. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "He said that you could solve anything." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "My last client of the sort was a king." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I will, Miss Turner." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some good-night and bustled off upon her way. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then I am your man." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." goes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "What! You do not mean bodies?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Ten to two.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Certainly." forecastle of an emigrant ship. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But how did you gain them?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of occupations.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You think that he is dead?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard signal between you and your father? that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That is unusual in a young girl." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. enter into my head. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every together. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I fear not." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Just look it up, then." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Yes, he did." works. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that there was nothing in it, after all." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was taking in every detail of the apartment. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "By no means." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's way in." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or *** START: FULL LICENSE *** very morning of my second wedding." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided be.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were it." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Yes.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that asked. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It means taking possession of that which another person has a prior if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom overpowering excitement and concern. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of Mr. Rucastle's." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Do you go out much in society?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his dead, shall be safe with us." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have wedding?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable is a common subject for conversation. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of receipt of the work. of this gang." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to people don't know." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "No good news?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And leave your case unfinished?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and inquire as to the address." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was