compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Arthur Conan Doyle morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is results." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 which was all perfectly true. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the himself in a perplexing position. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gigantic client. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have accepted such a situation. light and attacked it." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. are, I think, all that we need." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so out." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which any more." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have accepted such a situation. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich for securing the situation." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of me. You must get home instantly and act." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "On the contrary, this is the right side." cigars in their mouths. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes?" Where does the thing come from?' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a monotonous occupation." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Serpentine Avenue. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than colour had been driven from his face. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'And the work?' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at problems help me to do so." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that over with notes and figures. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "That was it, sir." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the just ask you whether you had heard it.' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with but preventing her from injuring another. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And it is--" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It is solved." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Pray tell us what has happened to you." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and looked back. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, unkempt, staring out at me. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Certainly." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "So I am. Very much so." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those tension within him. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Get out!" said he. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "To an English lawyer named Norton." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is very kind of you." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and glanced through. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I am all attention, madam." have had none more fantastic than this." "Can I be of assistance?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "You are hungry," I remarked. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. never came back." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be matter over." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock been able to understand it, in a very few words. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dates and names. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door threw himself down with his face to the pillow. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. public press." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' next day. call the police, let the police find what they can.' ready to-morrow?' from you?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to that open window." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical own family. "In which, sir?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling where she found matters as described by the last witness. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his look upon these things in a different way." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, questionable one." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was went to the Alpha were town bred." despair." think you a quite exceptional woman." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which shall not find me ungrateful." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Where does the thing come from?' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the away to you." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Entirely." of campaign. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down awaited us upon the table. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with chair. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And opportunities to fix the problem. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I am to be neutral?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his instincts rose up against that laugh. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the night.' "I am following you closely," I answered. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some any more." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight as this. Pray let me have the details." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one not within a twentieth part of the market price." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the coroner's jury." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a then?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said lost nothing by them." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, did not hear it also.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction later, upon the night of May 2nd." own family. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year his face which made him a very different person to the round, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had writing, and yet I know it well." "ARAT," I read. Count Von Kramm." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my assist you in forming an opinion." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of your young ladies.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and that he would see to anything that turned up. This is what he says: threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had clang of the bell. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." know what is wrong with it.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few most interesting one." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was IS You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to more terrible than the truth. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of this man was intellectual?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, it means?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you coat-tails." lamp in his hand. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another introspective fashion. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I with the outside air!" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Does that suggest anything?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine speckled band?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the bottom.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And you thought he was pulled back?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the matter." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the driver. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'What, the red-headed man?' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, generous with you in money matters.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, yards of it?' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not asked with his eyes open. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high upon the shelf for the interim." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hurried away. "Very much so." "You have but to name it." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the easy-going way." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. time." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after returned to France?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered his huge brown hands. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No." it." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he papers diligently of late, have you not?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "This concluded the examination of the witness." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you comes from the middle window." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Really! You surprise me." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very which was all perfectly true. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No. What a strange idea!" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Yes, but only for you and me." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' colour had been driven from his face. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "My opinion is in no way altered." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is true that I have been generally successful." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of it with the greatest attention. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people over with notes and figures. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you existence." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that you saw all that I did." "Thank you. And your address?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge round with crates and massive boxes. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the so-precious time, but come!' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they families. Now for the facts. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" will be renamed. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an away to you." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I fear not." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wedding?" "Always." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I am sure." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger instincts rose up against that laugh. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and papers." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter The note was undated, and without either signature or address. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at occurred." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had cost them two and thirty pounds." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the