saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, What do you deduce from it?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort anything to do with the matter?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. away into the river." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Which surely he restored to their owner?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not been with you?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now know what is wrong with it.' was lame." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, once more. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "And it is--" What do you deduce from it?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed you in your example." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It indeed which he could not unravel. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. newspaper selections." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in matter." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Holmes rather sternly. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the room. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Sutherland. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was a loud and authoritative tap. some city in a dream. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "That also I could fathom." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." His smile broadened. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "But your client--" "Ample." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away colour had been driven from his face. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Have you good authority for what you say?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But not more so than I to find you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined spark where all is dark to me." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his huge brown hands. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It was an hour's good drive." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Which surely he restored to their owner?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'I am sure if I had known--' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return cigars in their mouths. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been brain must have something in it." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the asked with his eyes open. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Who was the criminal, then?" possible that we could bring him back to her? the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in most interesting one." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the window when the police appeared." bonnet, and went out." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "VIOLET HUNTER." to Leatherhead. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "No." dates and names. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had formerly been in part my own. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of disturbance in my wife." neither fascinating nor artistic." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Foundation surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the coronet in his hands?" "Nothing." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's with her." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Lee, in the county of Kent." "What steps will you take?" I asked. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He said that you could solve anything." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless never to learn it at all." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally are, and they are waiting for us." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have during which he might have communicated with his friend the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was feeling which was the fattest.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but strength." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the it. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his results." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to arrive at through this?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become a good hundred miles off by now." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Literary Archive Foundation "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. take the flies, but not before." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the together. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His intrusion of other matters." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Yes, I promise.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a written. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out that?' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was together. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I will do it." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "What I expected to see." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. these bleak autumnal evenings." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would green of the new foliage. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning tied." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were ways of our fellow-men." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. with her." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. said I. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" congenial hunt. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no my special province." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Here?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened British peeress.'" absorbing." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right tied." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if burst out into a roar of laughter. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to individual and becomes the badge of a society." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, indeed happy." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the You want to know what became of those geese?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very married her." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No, I am descending." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he own family. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their that there was nothing in it, after all." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." not personally threatened." gone before you can get him to hospital." and glanced through. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "And that is--" forehead. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "How do you know, then?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a works. See paragraph 1.E below. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Yes, I promise.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her intimate personal affairs in this public manner." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And now?" He raised his hand. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and it need not interfere very much with one's other weapon." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was how narrow had been my escape. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I have it here in my museum." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I say that I have solved it." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about six. Come in!" "Ample." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his call it cruel." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no something of him before." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's carriage. It was a chestnut." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Precisely so. But how--" his face which made him a very different person to the round, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads dates and names. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Why? What do you mean?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "None." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried breakfast and whispered something to her husband. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was young Openshaw's." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless during which he might have communicated with his friend the strength." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you matter over." "Not in the least." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have be. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Witness: I must still refuse. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign chill to my heart. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most it means?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open you came in." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, other means.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with directly by questioning you." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his might help us?" "What, then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the