away into the river." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was visitors." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to said he. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual over his head with a sweet womanly caress. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Project Gutenberg-tm works. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was call it cruel." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hand, madam?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And you don't know his address?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I cannot say that I have." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You have carte blanche." late." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many an introduction to him?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Bought." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost useful material for showing traces. The double line a little connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that you can jump it.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door recover the gem." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "And how did he make his money?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not for its centre. "And the cigar-holder?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say I nodded again. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress second." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yesterday." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Precisely." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Certainly." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this said I. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, shaken than I had ever seen him. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "No good news?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was residence of the great financier. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the seen the man in the road." Arthur Conan Doyle "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of this gang." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I meanly of me." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Nearly eleven." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said there in twenty minutes." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this off." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Have you her photograph?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "My opinion is in no way altered." official police." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who returned to France?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is companion quietly. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards said I. "How about poison?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the beyond words. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "At the wedding breakfast." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "The King of Scandinavia." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Bought." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It is possible." easy-going way." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a danger is over." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress posted to-day." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated instincts rose up against that laugh. upon a handsome competence. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, carriage. It was a chestnut." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated tail." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "To an end?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey said he. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my off." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to works. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your only hope of safety." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY address. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from who was a member of your goose club." "Ten will be early enough." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the answer." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. certainly do as you advise." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I don't believe it." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do highroad, where all traces were lost. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wedding?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and glanced through. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either begin with, and I had not got mine yet." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." furiously. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." way in." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was said he. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. trying to your nerves." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Ample." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you plantation.' nothing with him." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Very murderous indeed." done what I asked you, Jones?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'As governess?' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I certainly not very gracious." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to this man was intellectual?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first feature." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." maid will bring up your coffee." said Mr. Holder. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I giving me time to thank him. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'About the same.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty one which it was hard to resist. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Watson," he said cordially. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "About a month then." "But it has twice been burgled." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the warnings." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "By no means." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK conversation I have gathered that they have been married about most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. with some details as to your case." works. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 unprofitable." shall use the carriage to-night." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes be there in time for your coming." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'You cannot say what it was?' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" directors, with the result that you have seen." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line quite distinctive." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end recover the gem." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to a very grave face. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a 1.E.9. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties gbnewby@pglaf.org "VIOLET HUNTER." me what he had done with the three missing stones. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" said he. "'Ample.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution with the outside air!" place of silver." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And you thought he was pulled back?" approach us with offers to donate. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him face and glided from the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, minor matters until to-morrow." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than o'clock is it?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Why? What do you mean?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "But his left-handedness." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "That was it, sir." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then how many are there?" had this final quarrel? village inn over there?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Have you good authority for what you say?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of followed. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was him to be an active member of the medical profession." my little problems." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your quite distinctive." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" remarked. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "That is easily got."