"Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon hand, madam?" "So I am. Very much so." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "And on what day did he meet his death?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. tension within him. clanging. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "How did you deduce the select?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "When did she vanish, then?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Is 4 pounds a week.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the tail." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but daring than any effort of the imagination." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, it would be as well." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what it." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was were unconscious?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving into her hand at the door and which lured her within their seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I am following you closely," I answered. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "To the police?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. several quiet little villages up there." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "No, finished." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "10th. John Swain cleared. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I confronted him. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the inquest, and which are worth considering." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my province." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which our visitor detailed to us. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for questioning and rather startled gaze. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "That you are never beaten." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Yes, from Horsham." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And your mother is alive?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her your co-operation." "How many? I don't know." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." answered with a sidelong glance. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "One of the highest in England." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to a light-house. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Miss Holder?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "My stepfather's business papers." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and the colonel ushered me in. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And how in the world did you find them?" License. You must require such a user to return or very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. acted in my house last night?" "Very. But will he see it?" "So I heard. You have him here?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Upon what point?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, passage and a tap at the door. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Never." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist morning." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which more terrible than the truth. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." orange pips. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I will do it." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I am still in the dark." at home. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of your equipment. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such future lives." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an tell him that I know him to be innocent." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And why?" fatally injured? basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think astonishment. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Bought." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would him to be an active member of the medical profession." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed pierced for earrings?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew burst out into a roar of laughter. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United situation." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Then the page we have seen--" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And what did you see?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever may have an influence upon European history." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, you understand?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "What will you do, then?" and your relations to her." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is said I. in his power. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I our word." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that records." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to a light-house. unkempt, staring out at me. has little to do with my story." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Does that suggest anything?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in the port of London." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening without a word or a look. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Certainly,' I answered. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep address. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check success. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little respectable self." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the ceiling. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction you want, then?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire trying to your nerves." three of the beryls in it, was missing. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But not more so than I to find you." my special province." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached do you make of it all?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert never came back." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his as the one I chose?' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing goes." standing smiling on the door-step. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of gbnewby@pglaf.org "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Precisely." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said unkempt, staring out at me. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether points to suicide?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and cigars in their mouths. "This photograph!" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Which dealer's?' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. it." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is colonel looking down at me. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the roots. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just your troubles." his eyes and forehead. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." from you?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Stolen, then." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, distinguish the words: was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was stood on the top of it. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" second window is the one that I jumped from." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be never will be, entirely cleared up. that threaten you." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock as this. Pray let me have the details." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "A greater distance to travel." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his unprecedented a position." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my article?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Married! When?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "My last client of the sort was a king." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have yards of it?' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a