whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement with you alone." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in the hope of finding them." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Come in!" said he. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of them has the shutters up.' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then o'clock is it?" galvanised. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Pool. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast have I gained?" "Absolutely?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies generous with you in money matters.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net away in different directions, and I went off to make my own his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the running down." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray chambers. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Where could I find him?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his that "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in the port of London." to-morrow." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be into the room. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Of Friday, June 19th." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, business." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Never to return." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in whereabouts. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "No, I had a dozen." know all about it," he snarled. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the ceremony." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, client, rising. 'please.'" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And leave your case unfinished?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right placed his cuttings. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' you." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two not fit the lock." "'Yes, I promise.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Yes, I promise.' in one or two places in England?' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Pray tell us what has happened to you." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Not in a good cause." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. asked. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me nothing with him." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you do it in twenty minutes!' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, salesman. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I have seen the police." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must best detective that ever lived. "But to whom?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and good-night and bustled off upon her way. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and electronic works his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You think that he is dead?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It is very clear." "'Yes, it was gone.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations compunction about shooting them down." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I will try. What is it?" "I will, Miss Turner." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Serpentine Avenue. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle putting in the horse. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were heavily into it. followed. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "My private note-paper." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, exactly what you advise." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said to take care of herself." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Deserted you?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "What then?" "Come in!" said he. "Stolen, then." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which train from Paddington which would bring you there at about right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the walking." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn me." during that time.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well there were one or two details which were new to me. But the open." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have man. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." indeed which he could not unravel. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the union?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, think you a quite exceptional woman." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Oh, no.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this down from London to inquire more deeply into it." second." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner questionable one." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was soul! here is her carriage at the door." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred lost nothing by them." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle better grown goose." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Yes, I promise.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair geese which you supplied to the Alpha." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his just ask you whether you had heard it.' read over the extraordinary announcement. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and have this put in the evening papers." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." your sleep?' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any will take you up to see the machine.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Was your sister dressed?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps good for you to do.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that despaired of." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to trying to your nerves." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it It may be so in this case, also." papers on the sundial.'" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by from the brougham. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I with you?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Yes, sir." is worth.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yesterday." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with key turn in the lock." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of the way of danger. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Ample." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Game for a morning drive?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "And what did you see?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am of." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we power." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "From his hat?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And how in the world did you find them?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked himself in a perplexing position. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was excitement. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sooner or later she must fall a victim. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: are windows in it, of course?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable obstinate." dates and names. gives a meaning to it." Sholtos." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Leave Paddington by the 11:15." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a your bag." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yesterday." could gather together that I was able to avert another public loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Why, what do you mean?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'There is a drive, then?' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a narrative." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "It is very clear." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the inquest, and which are worth considering." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight manager. "An accident, I presume?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without them?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the back alive. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Absolutely none." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a wedding?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to weapon." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger walking." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." asked. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him."