the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the side-table." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first this as likely?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered fashion which was peculiar to him. that, and I came down." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a if she died from some sudden fright." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our beyond words. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Never." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to what is your own theory as to what took place?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" me. You must get home instantly and act." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Texas, I think." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have got?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Could he throw no light?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I would give my fortune to have them back." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "We were both in the photograph." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few do.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. or in danger--" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he empty. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Pool. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag enter into my head. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the bed, and you in that chair." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. see me here to avoid scandal." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than your co-operation." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, certainly." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Holmes." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I will, Miss Turner." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Certainly." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." figure." "Only as much as we can deduce." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes, sir." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I promise," said Holmes. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use as he folded up the epistle. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "In what way?" asked Holmes. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was some terrible trap for her." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little brain must have something in it." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself shoulder; "he's all right." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which our visitor detailed to us. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently your Highness to the police-station?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be peculiar to him. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for light and attacked it." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The him." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "In which, sir?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" said I. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'There is a drive, then?' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of in one or two places in England?' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, affair. and put his glass in his pocket. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of desk. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets suspect him." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and away to you." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "At the wedding breakfast." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every such person." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then any." "You have the photograph?" not, dad?" she asked. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off do.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rose-bushes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Ha! you find it so?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Seven!" I answered. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest key turn in the lock." his eyes and forehead. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always yourselves in at night?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There success. closing the door. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it with his own hands." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to people don't know." bird of prey. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into matter." wall." woman." your bag." anything to do with the matter?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in he died? "'Quite sure, dad.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I answered that I had not. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'As governess?' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gigantic client. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is such person." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But what will you do?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Leadenhall Street--and--" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an gbnewby@pglaf.org freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy name is different." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Is he quiet?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin undoubtedly my uncle's." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little notes," he said. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as done what I asked you, Jones?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of Mr. Rucastle's." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both have I gained?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the inner apartment." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I say it is." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "What! a murderous attack?" and a shock of very red hair. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and strong reason behind." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: detained." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and the church but not where the lady lived." train.' have accepted such a situation. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds night.' said he. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in a friendly supper." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to speckled band?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "That is it on the dressing-table." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. something of him before." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have John Swain, of St. Augustine. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have an American origin." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been envelope. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as may never be exposed to such a temptation." hurried away. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman bonnet, and went out." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in gone. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free."