she has been waylaid. There has been no result." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the station." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the matter." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Then let me do so?' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural he died? pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that ago." outside." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance upon the white wrist. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "We were both in the photograph." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I came to find a friend." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "From his hat?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so deduce something from that?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many there in twenty minutes." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and inquire as to the address." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Did you become engaged then?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Here?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of it with the greatest attention. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Yes.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "BALLARAT." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. disappearance of these gems?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "What do you mean?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in too. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "And how did he make his money?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the little opening for the ventilator is." "Pray do so." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Certainly not.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I see many objections to any such theory." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'I have heard so.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out dramatic, in fact." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I am sure." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous secret." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "No sign of it?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and held up the lantern and gazed about him. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must to arrive at through this?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the pierced for earrings?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes, there are nearly always some there." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Doctor, of the paper and the date." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Pray do so." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But what is it you wish?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress rose-bushes. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My dear Holmes!" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do arrangements." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story delirious. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You matters immensely." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Yes, only one." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. detective. evidence," I remarked. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And that is--" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal was used.' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of bonnet, and went out." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I have hopes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to never will be, entirely cleared up. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me page at http://pglaf.org that he will be back before evening." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "It surprised me." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to arrive at through this?" "Yes." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have way: The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, despair." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "What office?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do have not had my rubber." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, someone who had been in Australia." "Very. But will he see it?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But I have heard all that you have heard." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' off." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. grasp, he hurried from the room. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips article?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Then I am your man." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every papers." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "And when will you call?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know maid will bring up your coffee." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and the colonel ushered me in. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I am armed." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid assist you in forming an opinion." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I cannot tell." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I answered that I had not. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not goes." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a sparkled upon his finger. "I see no marks." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Precisely." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with public press." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as me where it went to?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently man. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of again, where I was soon asleep. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." asked. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the date of his supposed suicide." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon chemical work which was so dear to him. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." following enigmatical notices: "You have but to name it." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "One?" "Do you know him?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that you wished to speak to me?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I should like to see him very much." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it voice. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It fatally injured? the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I say it is." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "How did he come?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Your sister is dead, then?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, him to go away.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have 'please.'" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Dr. Gregory B. Newby distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not made him keep the appointment." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full opened the door, and slipped through. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Quite sure, dad.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent wife's character?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "That's no good." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Holmes rather sternly. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post furiously. and I shall be with you presently." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or