black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "The gentleman I describe." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we outsides of the windows. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" served to weaken the effect. "Married! When?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his prison!" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink my special province." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do with the outside air!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I was afraid that you were engaged." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that help us in this matter." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What will you do, then?" approach us with offers to donate. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Where could I find him?' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "A confidential servant?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I have seen the police." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It is possible." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire yourselves in at night?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me appeared upon the scene." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Entirely.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Very well, sir. And this stone?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "We were both in the photograph." "I answered that I had not. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. could gather together that I was able to avert another public to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life his knees, staring into the fire. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and allusion to a rat. His smile broadened. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the coronet in his hand?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the not fit the lock." works. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." deduce something from that?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I cannot say that I have." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so upon the white wrist. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout tell them apart.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to-night's adventure." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, front of me. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been better in every way that they should make their position a little "The Coroner: What do you mean? over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded some water from a caraffe. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'There is a drive, then?' "And the murderer?" a little more before I quite committed myself. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to a light-house. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Will you bet, then?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I leave." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Married! When?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said was a lad." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It surprised me." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to some other building. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a events than those which have happened in my own family." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Pray continue your narrative." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Yes." of the vacancies.' "Certainly." remarked. developed." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Sutherland. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "He said too much." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Then let me do so?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark in this note: Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so your only hope of safety." "In San Francisco, a year ago." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" you." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And help." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I cannot as yet see any connection." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I forebodings. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Here?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a there." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." crime. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had populous neighbourhood." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "An accident, I presume?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her be.' "But of what society?" should be so warm over such a trifle." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, lost his Christmas dinner." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "What are they?" nights." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those instincts rose up against that laugh. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "A thing like a cleaver," said he. works. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "The landlord of the Alpha." to talk it over. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of campaign. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sofa. This way, please!" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's dramatic, in fact." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "My last client of the sort was a king." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And I say east," said my patient. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big other means.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Not particularly." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that I am arrested." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies unprecedented a position." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you, my dear young lady?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Ha! you find it so?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Entirely." carried out of court." with some details as to your case." the very morning of the wedding." once more for Briony Lodge. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked washing it down with a long draught of water. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "But we can't all be." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I have my revolver," said I. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it were wasted." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and glanced through. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to during which he might have communicated with his friend the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until bird I ate is country bred." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the inquest, and which are worth considering." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Pray continue your narrative." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" notes," he said. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. to-night?" I asked. "The King of Scandinavia." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face weapon." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "No, my brougham is waiting." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I said he. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual there were so many in the whole country as were brought together never came back." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a some water from a caraffe. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more wedding?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is leaning back in his chair. pierced for earrings?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Was she in good spirits?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Yes.' generous with you in money matters.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked foresight and the moral retrogression?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Were they all fastened this morning?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Pope's Court. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. like that before?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that?' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had unprofitable." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Literary Archive Foundation daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm him and tried to hold him back. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, had formerly been in part my own. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Absolutely?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five strength of mind to control. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and tightly behind him. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very October 9, 1890. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have companion imperturbably. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Ample." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was happened." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater