matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'A dozen yards or so.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which again before evening." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "We must have a cab." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small been lifted and conveyed somewhere." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And I say east," said my patient. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored take the flies, but not before." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Absolutely?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "But you have hopes?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "How did you deduce the select?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must lids now and glanced across at his visitor. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my floor. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Very truly yours, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should might help us?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant bird of prey. daring than any effort of the imagination." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of his shoulders. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us been lifted and conveyed somewhere." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "How often?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Yes, I promise.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY speckled band?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very My friend smiled. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "A greater distance to travel." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His people in all walks of life. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the tell him that I know him to be innocent." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to golden eyeglasses. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The Cedars?" shall not find me ungrateful." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, charge against him will break down." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but there when the Rucastles went away." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It's nothing of the kind." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'What then?' I asked. Mary, has deserted me." "Yes." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "One of the highest in England." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What then?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the house with me." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes." gbnewby@pglaf.org clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And is that all?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Why that?' I asks. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "In which, sir?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "There is the writing." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, happened." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm article?" imbecility!" he cried. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "And I to find an enemy." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my strong reason behind." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten strength in the others." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The key turn in the lock." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I would pay ten." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "That is it on the dressing-table." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria only touch the interest." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no pressing in one house as in another. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "ARAT," I read. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I beg pardon." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business question," said Holmes, smiling. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Not social, then?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, once more for Briony Lodge. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch upon the sideboard." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." showing my impatience. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for DAMAGE. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'And the work?' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and the whole place is in a blaze." been." never came back." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to a little more before I quite committed myself. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from ill-usage at the hands of fortune. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Certainly not.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "No, distinctly professional." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs papers must be those that are destroyed.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "A confidential servant?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick his huge brown hands. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in a monotonous occupation." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the so-precious time, but come!' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be your Highness to the police-station?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at is four-and-twenty." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to arrive at through this?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any villagers almost as much as their master. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "One of his hands." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. said he. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little death." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And how in the world did you find them?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "A client, then?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And leave your case unfinished?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in one or two places in England?' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But your client--" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bearing upon the case." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you here and I will read it to you: pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. good for you to do.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Nearly eleven." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He prison!" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in these bleak autumnal evenings." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so chance at all." "What will you do, then?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house discontent upon his features. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is house for five minutes.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Mrs. Toller serenely. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled down in his armchair and closing his eyes. matter." hour?' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the your own bird, so if you wish--" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What, then, did Peterson do?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and occupations.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his eyes and forehead. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the nursery. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Foundation our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I know where it is." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. walking." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Yes." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you generous with you in money matters.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. front of me. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to-night?' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of them has the shutters up.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. over with notes and figures. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "My photograph." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then I can wait in the next room." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch good for you to do.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some in the port of London." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. this remarkable episode. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "No." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off