"'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any head. So long, then!" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. nights." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Nearly eleven." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But how did you gain them?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into once more. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I think that it is very probable." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly in a friendly supper." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. success. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have carried out of court." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Ten to two.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and wait." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of voice, changing her seat as requested. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, http://gutenberg.net/license). such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap charged with?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the directors, with the result that you have seen." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing my little problems." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Here?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the dangers which encompass me." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Where could I find him?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "But your client--" the south-west, I see." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Do you receive much company?" he asked. mystery." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Have you good authority for what you say?" late!' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You horrify me!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried plantation.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under over here." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of absorbing." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying an introduction to him?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where quite distinctive." 'please.'" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the For additional contact information: there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, appeared upon the scene." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Yes." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Do you receive much company?" he asked. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase be there in time for your coming." do.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but cup of tea. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will me where it went to?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up forehead. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Certainly." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he bowed and left the room without another word. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the noble correspondent could be. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though later, upon the night of May 2nd." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into for its centre. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? soul! here is her carriage at the door." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the very morning of the wedding." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the tragedy. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to miss it." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "None. Neville wrote those words." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It is very kind of you." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you bachelor.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was not a bird to be seen there. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my woman who has had her own way to make in the world. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Yes." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and the church but not where the lady lived." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door what do you think they found in the pockets?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a wedding?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. way in everything. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "But you can know nothing of this?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Nearly eleven." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be fattened it expressly for you.' constraint." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Ten will be early enough." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of her also." article?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said status with the IRS. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any eat it." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive excitement. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Yesterday." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I leave." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; searched, without anything being found which could incriminate resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE second window is the one that I jumped from." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and laid it on the table. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other envelope. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'I have already given you my word.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Stoke Moran." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You horrify me!" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several felt?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was closing the door. for securing the situation." of his shoulders. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Then, how do you know?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "He said too much." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked already referred to. bachelor.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "My dear Holmes!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution father's place of business?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with waste of energy." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little cup of tea. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler back into the street. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And why in hopes?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was not a bird to be seen there. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you you give your casting vote to?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "When did it break out?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at think, you have already met." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It was an hour's good drive." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three sufficient punishment." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all will he say when he returns?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." touch that coronet?' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or handed it to him. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that straightened it out again. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, absorbing." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. back into the street. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the coroner come to?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go depend upon my doing so.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed characteristics, but those are the more obvious." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up