"Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Will you bet, then?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, instincts rose up against that laugh. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I came to find a friend." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Perfectly so." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What! Had he lost his wife?" you in yours." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wife's character?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. presume?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "But you were on a friendly footing?" room. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sit on the left-hand side of the driver." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the suspect him." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for tear off another piece?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It came here." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "We have tried and failed." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down fashion which was peculiar to him. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally good-night and bustled off upon her way. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses him." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the mystery may be cleared along those lines." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Tired-looking or fresh?" one's self under obligations.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. tied." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a standing smiling on the door-step. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Breckinridge is his name." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I despaired of." his fortune, and I went back to pa. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But she will refuse." "To the police?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was article?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Mrs. Toller serenely. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was most interesting one." what is your own theory as to what took place?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country asked. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when here and I will read it to you: "Stolen, then." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "That is easily got." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "None." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, round with crates and massive boxes. "Ten will be early enough." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "The murder was done with it." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. ran thus: "In the cells." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is copied or distributed: "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of good for you to do.' business at Coburg Square is serious." until night should bring an explanation. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I have solved it." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two certainly do as you advise." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You will not go there first?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between existence." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and prosperity to your house. Good-night." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement you, my dear young lady?' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. any more." case-book, which he consulted. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, daring than any effort of the imagination." "Yesterday." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." article?" about. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dramatic, in fact." together. "A client, then?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, extraordinary contortions. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous sake, don't!" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are knowledge of the world." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. face and glided from the room. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was read it out to me." room. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side success. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You have it, sir, just as it happened." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "No, I think that I'll take it." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Again Holmes raved in the air. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless nice household for a young lady." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may note?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes. He waved his hands." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Did your wife hear all this?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the stones. I held the little printed slip to the light. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and upon the sideboard." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to do." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "May I see it?" the side-table." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of other means.' to-morrow." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "VIOLET HUNTER." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." see me here to avoid scandal." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to him." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "None." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." You want to know what became of those geese?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and meanly of me." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out this as likely?" little adventures." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of room had already been engaged for us. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no there in twenty minutes." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the inner apartment." sufficient punishment." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now invisible to me," I remarked. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I would give my fortune to have them back." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred derbies." assist you in forming an opinion." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And did you observe any change in her then?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his knowledge of the world." emerged. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose you." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the here." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high there has been an enclosure here!" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, key of the affair now." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. three of the beryls in it, was missing. Surrey." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if bearing upon the case." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the child." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I shall most certainly do so." take the flies, but not before." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that I can to serve you." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "That is easily got." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Does that suggest anything?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Not particularly." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became throat." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "This concluded the examination of the witness." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers there is a decided draught." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Leave Paddington by the 11:15." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "One of the highest in England." an introduction to him?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Certainly." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution you?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. pictures, libraries, or plate. voice, changing her seat as requested. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior only touch the interest." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "When did she vanish, then?" "Your French gold?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the matter." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot me, and I could not think that his explanation of the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly.