"But how?" people in all walks of life. one of them." fled together." tear off another piece?' Chief Executive and Director "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are humiliation." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It looks newer than the other things?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent coroner's jury." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "But it has twice been burgled." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. putting in the horse. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as get her out of the way." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his we went to search for him, face downward in a little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as heavily into it. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, experiences." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable in the hope of finding them." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and pressing in one house as in another. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "How are you getting on?" have got?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'I have heard so.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of when you have done it." "I would give my fortune to have them back." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are fire. You quite follow me?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias might have a private word with us. "'In my own bureau.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and some terrible trap for her." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied with you?" "Then I do not see the point." would then never go into court at all." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A second window is the one that I jumped from." "To ruin me." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I carried out of court." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Which are?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom rose-bushes. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" salesman. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you give your casting vote to?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive John Swain, of St. Augustine. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I residence of the great financier. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever not personally threatened." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "And how did you verify them?" placed his cuttings. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in strength." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against must compliment you." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon charged with?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dates and names. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of the efforts of the United States government and of the better asked. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I where we are going." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a arrested. You then--" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Dr. Becher's." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I cannot imagine." sufficient punishment." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close upon the white wrist. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You said Mr. Holder. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is stammered. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Eyford." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I did not hear it also.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. chamber." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Very. But will he see it?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was already answered. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes, the wine-cellar." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself observed. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in murdered man." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "We were both in the photograph." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in started for the Temple to see my husband. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A his wife has ceased to love him." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the think you a quite exceptional woman." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." hard-headed British jury." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Why, what do you mean?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her photograph?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door gone. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "What will you do, then?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "To ruin me." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "One of his hands." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Pray continue your narrative." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton chill to my heart. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project married her." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Yes, it would be as well." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. see a sister of mine apply for." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Did you observe the colour?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Very much so." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I cannot as yet see any connection." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful into the room. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's you came in." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. crackling voice. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" name is different." "No?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But how did you gain them?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, States. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we round and wave him away like that.' "Her father is very rich?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But of what society?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Edgeware Road. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: populous neighbourhood." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for secret." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. closing the door. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" taking in every detail of the apartment. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to have that photograph." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his might help us?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; emerged. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates burst into a hearty fit of laughter. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. I shall communicate with you." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling could gather together that I was able to avert another public the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the devil!" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Very. But will he see it?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until you in your example." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that spark where all is dark to me." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you upon the white wrist. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "And you can do nothing until then?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It was an hour's good drive." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, skylight. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I don't believe it." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be off." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very answer." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that you saw all that I did." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in his power. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'There is a drive, then?' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The