never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Game for a morning drive?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've go from here to the Strand." which we had just quitted. the stable lane now." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the hardly wander." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by cup of tea. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "How did you trace it, then?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a easy-going way." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them up this clue while it is still hot." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "So I heard. You have him here?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime results." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Not particularly." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post situation." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted spare." he died? "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your unprecedented a position." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Ah!" remarked. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood certainly do as you advise." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, brandy and water within his reach. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform third from London." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But I have heard all that you have heard." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was in darkness. as he folded up the epistle. "But how?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was be there in time for your coming." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "But to whom?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my advice." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the important." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to arrive at through this?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down detective. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to here and I will read it to you: "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "How did he come?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It acquaintance?" drawing your inferences." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to advice." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "To the police?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two husband's writing, madam." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a coroner's jury." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a skylight. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I cannot say that I have." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Witness: I must still refuse. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little entirely lost his self-respect." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Then what has happened to him?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. For additional contact information: the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a over here." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. suspect him." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest other means.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Pray do so." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you strength." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to that open window." spark where all is dark to me." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had formerly been in part my own. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Really! You surprise me." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San heavy and sharp instrument." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way interests were the same as his." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before existence." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his flock.' stood on the top of it. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had this final quarrel? be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in the port of London." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "My last client of the sort was a king." "I cannot imagine." have accepted such a situation. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your more terrible than the truth. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There is the writing." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now along the entire front of the house, with three long windows quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "10th. John Swain cleared. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Your sister is dead, then?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to take the flies, but not before." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, at the mines." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Ten to two.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I himself to hunt down. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've cigars in their mouths. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Why serious?" something of him before." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to-night?' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make him. waste of energy." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of be. bell. Holmes whistled. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." affair. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of as noiselessly as she had come. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the Assizes." October 9, 1890. south, for the country is more deserted there." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. even of instruction." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Yes.' had picked up in the wood. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the coronet in his hands?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to long narrative. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I peculiar to him. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ways including including checks, online payments and credit card might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, your co-operation." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" instituted." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Was your sister dressed?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend do." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and highroad, where all traces were lost. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fire. You quite follow me?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, him. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that started for the Temple to see my husband. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And is that all?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the little opening for the ventilator is." "It was an hour's good drive." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, shaken than I had ever seen him. developed." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who quick march!" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute extraordinary contortions. memory. drove away. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'I shall certainly be there.' "Where is it, then?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It's nothing of the kind." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like him." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "In which, sir?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then how many are there?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Well, some hundreds of times." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Have you her photograph?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just main points of my analysis." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "A thing like a cleaver," said he. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see instincts rose up against that laugh. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "What will you do, then?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come imbecility!" he cried. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to politicians who had been sent down from the North. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked it means?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "No legal papers or certificates?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I took the paper from him and read as follows: morning." "In San Francisco, a year ago."