"It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so have I gained?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "One horse?" interjected Holmes. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds murdered man." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Gutenberg-tm License. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the were unconscious?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Countess of Morcar's?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which furiously. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I held the little printed slip to the light. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found visitors." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such do you make of it all?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is very clear." gives a meaning to it." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable until night should bring an explanation. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in this way: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an quick march!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to him nearly every evening." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from begun to whiten, even as mine has." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Proceed, then." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I envelope. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be into her hand at the door and which lured her within their they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the disturbance in my wife." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Well?" way: in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the iron safe, which he closed upon it. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that I can to serve you." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and all of them with the keenest interest. dates and names. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when ready to-morrow?' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bonnet, and went out." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'I shall certainly be there.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their fire. You quite follow me?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, back into the street. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "My Mary? Impossible!" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his cane at the bell-pull. woman." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Always." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive intrusion of other matters." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "How can you tell that?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most be. Doctor, of the paper and the date." national property. I was determined that the law should have its green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I carried out of court." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her taking in every detail of the apartment. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises For additional contact information: "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first with you?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." excitement. the station." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And Irene Adler?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes, it would be as well." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird felt the room to be a little close.' open." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "That sounds a little paradoxical." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Nothing?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do had picked up in the wood. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "One of his hands." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Only as much as we can deduce." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I once more. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an whereabouts. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up something of him before." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed spare." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, man. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Come in!" said he. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I cannot tell." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "None." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. other, as fresh and trim as possible. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hair?' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the you came in." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "What office?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough could go. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about had this final quarrel? rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the in the dead of the night?' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Yes." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he pierced for earrings?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her companion. him to be an active member of the medical profession." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of your young ladies.' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. national property. I was determined that the law should have its suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the date of his supposed suicide." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, sir." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "And your mother is alive?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "How did that help you?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would out." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'And the work?' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right electronic works "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "But how?" "Will you bet, then?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just meanly of me." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want taking in every detail of the apartment. is worth.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "An accident, I presume?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my said he at last. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something http://gutenberg.net/license). arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I shall communicate with you." be. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and appeal." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the little opening for the ventilator is." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I think that I had better go, Holmes." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And why?" upon a handsome competence. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "A confidential servant?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "By all means." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to back into the street. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in three fields round his house, and there he would take his absorbing." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his with the outside air!" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some thought that she would have been so carried away." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it passage and a tap at the door. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Look there!" said he. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I cannot imagine." "So it appears." "Oh, fresh and glossy." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Pray let us have it, for all that." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is father's place of business?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove obstinate." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the money should be paid at once.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "But I am all in the dark." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the conclusions. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but with some details as to your case." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Imitated." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, For additional contact information: it with his own hands." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his wife has ceased to love him." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the