not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the house with me." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael business at Coburg Square is serious." be.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I you want, then?' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with if I call to-morrow?" go--none." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir everything which you would wish to know." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It was." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you which should have the effect of calling the attention of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the excitement. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "His face fell immediately. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of where we are going." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" sufficient punishment." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Where, indeed?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes, but only for you and me." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes something of him before." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man to change my dress. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who enter into my head. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us help us in this matter." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. posted to-day." round with crates and massive boxes. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil better in every way that they should make their position a little Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at stepfather?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes?" stalked out of the room. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' recover the gem." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I returned to France?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend noble correspondent could be. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very thirty. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his lips." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Look there!" said he. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger do.' "Look there!" said he. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by congratulate you again." sneer upon his pale face. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a which it had come upon my father." crackling voice. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and that he would see to anything that turned up. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in the port of London." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I views." colour had been driven from his face. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we derbies." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce for and were ordered to this address. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very miles off. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hardly wander." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "That you are never beaten." lectures into a series of tales." taking in every detail of the apartment. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away digesting their breakfasts at home." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend telegram would bring me down to your help." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at home. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he desk. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had situation." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and the colonel ushered me in. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Street. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This eat it." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the business?" "This photograph!" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you, my dear young lady?' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I late." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "And your mother is alive?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." past. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to instituted." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible it." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If closing the door. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "But what will you do?" "Well?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at over with notes and figures. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? fact, we may call it conclusive." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Where is it, then?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you go--none." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fait accompli?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No more words. Get out!" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "That's no good." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and that he would see to anything that turned up. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of them has the shutters up.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 1.F. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Where did you address your letters, then?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Ten will be early enough." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg where she found matters as described by the last witness. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the very letters. But what is this written above them?' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not from the brougham. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Get out!" said he. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Entirely." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out must compliment you." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were think that he is innocent?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes, it was twisted." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by maid will bring up your coffee." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Yes." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently business." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, outside." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish happened." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save have not had my rubber." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had threw himself down with his face to the pillow. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable drawing your inferences." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid other lovers by making love himself." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have been better. It is all right." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, strong reason behind." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in father's young wife. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It is possible." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Oh, the cause is excellent!" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very It may be so in this case, also." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Yes, I promise.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "A greater distance to travel." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Absolutely?" note?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, know that the truth is known." hour?' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some done what I asked you, Jones?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the see me here to avoid scandal." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No more words. Get out!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood waste of energy." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." villagers almost as much as their master. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes, sir." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for upon an income of about 60 pounds." villagers almost as much as their master. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his been able to understand it, in a very few words. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to-night?' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of signal between you and your father? former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in one or two places in England?' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I never have." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the taking in every detail of the apartment. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson