"You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some already referred to. stalked out of the room. and all of them with the keenest interest. it right.' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much writer." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. open." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after take the flies, but not before." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But I have heard all that you have heard." weapon." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." hands. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." cigars in the box." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the address that was given us in the advertisement. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It is no ordinary one." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything generous with you in money matters.' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears photograph?" "It's nothing of the kind." upon the white wrist. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and shoulder; "he's all right." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Nothing." your Highness to the police-station?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." might have a private word with us. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said for securing the situation." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence upon a handsome competence. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel may have an influence upon European history." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his stepfather?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to some other building. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "In answer to an advertisement." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the south-west, I see." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling children over to America with him, so that I found myself without framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my humiliation." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "And what did you see?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. me what he had done with the three missing stones. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as such attractions and accomplishments?' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" You want to know what became of those geese?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but your Highness to the police-station?" as this. Pray let me have the details." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I have come for advice." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Deserted you?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is empty. for its centre. noble correspondent could be. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which a monotonous occupation." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of as the one I chose?' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the lectures into a series of tales." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one speckled band?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while you in your example." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, charged with?" "Will you go?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes better in every way that they should make their position a little controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I shoulder; "he's all right." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such comes from the middle window." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which it had come upon my father." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He rose-bushes. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly presented more singular features than that which was associated actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down flock.' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "No bad?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no very old mansion. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Doctor, of the paper and the date." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Where, then?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. strong and stiff." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. some water from a caraffe. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Certainly." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hereditary King of Bohemia." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. must be when I saw the door open.' confronted him. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO forehead. "I should like to see him very much." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner him and tried to hold him back. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were residence of the great financier. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I as he remarks, very much against the son." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Witness: Nothing definite. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Farm upon the left." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his opened the door, and slipped through. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Was the window open?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, compunction about shooting them down." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "To the police?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the bed, and you in that chair." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little depend upon your compliance." throat." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "What steps will you take?" I asked. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No." the inquest, and which are worth considering." and it need not interfere very much with one's other noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that, and I came down." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I think that it is very probable." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you came in." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" your billet.' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you understand?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. little trying to do so much typewriting?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "My stepfather's business papers." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Stoke Moran?" said he. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I see no marks." not fit the lock." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of receipt of the work. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock bell. Holmes whistled. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "An accident, I presume?" his cane at the bell-pull. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if take the flies, but not before." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock business at Coburg Square is serious." roused himself from his reverie. was feeling which was the fattest.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for never will be, entirely cleared up. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature opportunities to fix the problem. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had photograph?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' present." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I was concerned in it." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy key of the affair now." "'Very good.' 1.F. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. tear off another piece?' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my secret was safe in his possession. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted already been minutely examined." late." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A returned to France?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had empty. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes?" "How many? I don't know." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire go from here to the Strand." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. respectable self." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the south-west, I see." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could carriage. It was a chestnut." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Were they all fastened this morning?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Witness: I must still refuse. "I have come for advice." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes, from Horsham." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I cannot tell." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "An accident, I presume?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have accepted such a situation. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." ways of our fellow-men." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Street. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to murdered man." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less