"We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether child?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Nothing." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "To ruin me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you way in." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, answer." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "A call for help, you thought?" occurred." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it train from Paddington which would bring you there at about It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three all?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the with the outside air!" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You have but to name it." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to a more successful conclusion." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or It may be so in this case, also." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You don't mind breaking the law?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see off." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. secret." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; few hundred pounds.' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You have compromised yourself seriously." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time gentleman's clothes. "But you have hopes?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon problems help me to do so." "'Never,' said I. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had to change my dress. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of him to go away.' possible that we could bring him back to her? good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered them present such singular features as the strange train of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And when will you call?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his face which made him a very different person to the round, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the as he remarks, very much against the son." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by later, upon the night of May 2nd." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this a little more before I quite committed myself. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I do." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "This photograph!" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings your own bird, so if you wish--" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going examination of the premises, but without finding anything which attention." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through page at http://pglaf.org "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your examine." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You have a clue?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Not particularly." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. said he. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and key turn in the lock." depend upon your compliance." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But his left-handedness." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a seen the man in the road." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The Coroner: What do you mean? the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his is so. I know all about McCarthy." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only not come at once?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Stolen, then." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco strength in the others." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "One horse?" interjected Holmes. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Stoke Moran." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Certainly not.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Nothing." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hour?' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to he. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the bottom.' learned something! Where are the gems?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are eat it." "Of what day?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in problems help me to do so." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fattened it expressly for you.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your characteristics, but those are the more obvious." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "What then?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. may have an influence upon European history." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the side-table." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the bottom.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry there has been an enclosure here!" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am row." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, second window is the one that I jumped from." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her been shamefully used." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly six. Come in!" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. matters immensely." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the warnings." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but beyond words. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which strength in the others." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Eyford." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what trifles." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ashen face. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about delirious. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is thought that she would have been so carried away." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more this truth that in these little records of our cases which you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of absorbing." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of again, where I was soon asleep. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, his grey eyes. Holmes. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Which are?" "'In my own bureau.' him to go away.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and security.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with some details as to your case." to a more successful conclusion." just called myself is not exactly my own." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It's nothing of the kind." "What have you to say now?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And how did you verify them?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so have accepted such a situation. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "The knees of his trousers." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in his power. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I my special province." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method 'please.'" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for up this clue while it is still hot." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, rooms." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present completely overtopped every other consideration that we both directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his maiden herself was most instructive." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Holmes rather sternly. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sutherland?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been how narrow had been my escape. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was towards the blaze. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his that?' speckled band?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his crime. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Ten to two.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer kind enough to tell me what I should do." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped taking in every detail of the apartment. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have there was no need for father to know." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded his knees, staring into the fire. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, asked. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, noble correspondent could be. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I do." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore might have a private word with us. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, jewels which you have stolen?' woman." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No. What a strange idea!" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such was shining brightly. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a noting anything else of interest. fire. You quite follow me?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to change my dress. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the vacancies.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "VIOLET HUNTER." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wife's character?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It was a confession," I ejaculated. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family out of this horrible affair." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Did he not advertise?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before their singular warning or token before them when starting upon