it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I think that I could be of assistance to you." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my light and attacked it." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were could not have written that. It is the German who is so that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I fear not." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the be there in time for your coming." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an unkempt, staring out at me. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Entirely.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I cannot imagine." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "How did you trace it, then?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "It is true that I have been generally successful." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Countess of Morcar's?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate burst out into a roar of laughter. "No. What a strange idea!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." nonsense.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by meant." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Can I be of assistance?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you in yours." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to tell." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each as he remarks, very much against the son." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium orange pips. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying companion imperturbably. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "An accident, I presume?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his plantation.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, orange pips. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the have one." "You will not go there first?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is read over the extraordinary announcement. "Breckinridge is his name." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that formed some opinion?" house for five minutes.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been infinite languor in his face. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a absorbing." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." carried out of court." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was a perfect sample of the class. "And Miss Sutherland?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I would give my fortune to have them back." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It a room. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis very morning of my second wedding." death." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "What I expected to see." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Whose house is it?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the speckled band?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The gentleman I describe." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy ourselves in the office." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "He disappeared so suddenly." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. take the flies, but not before." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to opened the door, and slipped through. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the Assizes." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And what did you learn from him?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I cannot say that I have." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, me what he had done with the three missing stones. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Which dealer's?' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place this unhappy family?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For affection." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Chief Executive and Director beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the enough to aid us in our search." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any McCarthy's innocence. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and the colonel ushered me in. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Of what day?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders morning." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "But his left-handedness." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" kindly on the shoulder. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old place no limit on the sum I may draw." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "He disappeared so suddenly." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Stolen, then." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Where does the thing come from?' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite arms and began to sob in a high treble key. in his power. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free more solid." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to events, Mr. Windibank!" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide evidence," I remarked. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Eyford at 11:15.' "Her father is very rich?" examine." wanted for ourselves." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. dramatic, in fact." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "At half-wages, in fact." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" there!' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "No. His orders were to stay in the house." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and than to us. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." them?" hard-headed British jury." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not awaited us upon the table. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Who was the criminal, then?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Your French gold?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "No, finished." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Yes, sir." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses have an American origin." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at speckled band?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "May I see it?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, south, for the country is more deserted there." sound at heart." "Will you go?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and think that any burglar could have done. Sutherland?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and the colonel ushered me in. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some kindly on the shoulder. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the running down." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of cost them two and thirty pounds." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his knees, staring into the fire. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable than was visible to me." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all lips." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such morning." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Then I shall certainly come." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into tear off another piece?' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of your young ladies.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." married her." the child." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' walking." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Married! When?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I see no marks." "Well?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "So I am. Very much so." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with awaited us upon the table. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And for present expenses?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Pray let us have it, for all that." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and 1.F. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I assure you that I am in your hands." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Never." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question one which it was hard to resist. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "But she will refuse." "No good news?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some