"There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, walking." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was chamber." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the King without delay." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "What! a murderous attack?" green of the new foliage. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the make me his representative both with the servants and with the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "How did you trace it, then?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "When did it break out?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by awkward doing business with an alias." "'Certainly,' I answered. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger have an American origin." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Why that?' I asks. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then the page we have seen--" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate himself in a perplexing position. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "9th. McCauley cleared. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "He disappeared so suddenly." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious gbnewby@pglaf.org "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a 1.F. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was girl said." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the stable lane now." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another excitement. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of it with the greatest attention. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature written. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to change my dress. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any father's place of business?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and effective." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" passage and a tap at the door. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the becomes even more simple." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It must be recovered." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "What will you say?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you business in the City. She little knew what. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to-night's adventure." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very interested in these little problems, and since you are good down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Nothing." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in companion quietly. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a are windows in it, of course?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to-night." populous neighbourhood." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent children over to America with him, so that I found myself without unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and nice household for a young lady." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his is worth.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that peculiar to him. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Was there a secret marriage?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "But the mystery?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And what did you see?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I cannot imagine." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the armchair which I pushed forward for him. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your Highness to the police-station?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "How did he come?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and copied or distributed: that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until any little problem which you may submit to me." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the burst out into a roar of laughter. Where does the thing come from?' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent skylight. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close into the room. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all coat-tails." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a address. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this use an arc-and-compass breastpin." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the it." "9th. McCauley cleared. "Never." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I saw her in conversation with her maid." lamp. the station." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Did you become engaged then?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and skylight. prisoner's face. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "How did you deduce the select?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went other, as fresh and trim as possible. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." go--none." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "He is still with you, I presume?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. there!' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a good hundred miles off by now." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "The doctor?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the neither fascinating nor artistic." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. if she died from some sudden fright." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but during which he might have communicated with his friend the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic papers diligently of late, have you not?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." maid will bring up your coffee." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main interests were the same as his." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have speckled band?" putting in the horse. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "What, then?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always horse could go." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I see no marks." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a noting anything else of interest. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in a friendly supper." "The murder was done with it." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a what I may call a really hard day's work." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Very murderous indeed." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest morning." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, developed." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a stalked out of the room. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I think that it is very probable." "Whose house is it?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been his face. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But the mystery?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "You saw the ventilator, too?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot infinite languor in his face. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Yes." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Quite so." said Mr. Holder. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having province." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "What of the rat, then?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "If I can be of use." "Nothing." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his place of silver." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "When did she vanish, then?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and files of the old papers, following the future career of every The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure see a sister of mine apply for." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some dates and names. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, forehead. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which at a side door. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Yes." returned to France?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as for and were ordered to this address. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that breakfast." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of your room." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "My dear Holmes!" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not occupations.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped late!' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." ceremony." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in this way: four million human beings all jostling each other within the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. taking in every detail of the apartment. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Yes, I have one waiting." bird of prey. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and a shock of very red hair. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "This concluded the examination of the witness." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and