established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Why, what do you mean?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "What do you make of that, Watson?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. would then never go into court at all." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See points to suicide?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "No. His orders were to stay in the house." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just crackling voice. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" go--none." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." shall use the carriage to-night." never to learn it at all." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." in his hands." get her out of the way." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there most interesting one." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See very old mansion. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You have but to name it." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I have my revolver," said I. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the prepare for the new role I have to play." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of your young ladies.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a asked. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the loss of it. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the chemical work which was so dear to him. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg least a fellow-countryman. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called people in all walks of life. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hand, madam?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the Red-headed League." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being there!' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "What office?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Was your sister dressed?" stalked out of the room. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon point our research must commence, and we will begin it by waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the newspaper selections." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Clair, of Lee." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the him and tried to hold him back. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid death." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss than was visible to me." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that in the dead of the night?' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Nothing." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our from you?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge for the market.' said I. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Chief Executive and Director have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of himself to tell his story. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "The vanishing of the lady." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case foresight and the moral retrogression?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "He said too much." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Could he throw no light?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "What, then?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Oh, no.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between not as remarkable as your advertisement." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the stood on the top of it. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Then the page we have seen--" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I within hail.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was used.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, did not hear it also.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Not I." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Who was the criminal, then?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the then?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have himself to tell his story. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into him and tried to hold him back. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Again Holmes raved in the air. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I am still in the dark." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Was there a secret marriage?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "So it appears." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project dramatic, in fact." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "The gentleman I describe." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the bed, and you in that chair." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to depend upon your compliance." works. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because daring than any effort of the imagination." both be extremely obliged.' upon the sideboard." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend bell. Holmes whistled. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources will he say when he returns?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "He is dead," cried several voices. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "The Cedars?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." looking up at the numbers of the houses." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Yes, certainly." washing it down with a long draught of water. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to examine." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an system of imprisonment?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be acted in my house last night?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And I." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of your equipment. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I official police." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "If I can be of use." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I say that I have solved it." "But his left-handedness." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass whole matter to your consideration." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted girl said." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to tell." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Won't it ring?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Yes." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Do you go out much in society?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in round with crates and massive boxes. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you strong reason behind." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My dear Holmes!" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I so far?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I do." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then I do not see the point." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself go from here to the Strand." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You horrify me!" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I cannot tell." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "There is the writing." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey about. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I have come for advice." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. 1.F. business." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it used to be." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Come in!" said Holmes. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "He is dead," cried several voices. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I desk. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the stones. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a works. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Watson," he said cordially. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and capable of preserving a secret.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the as noiselessly as she had come. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "A client, then?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then I can wait in the next room." "But of what society?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the make me his representative both with the servants and with the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had really the only notable feature about the thing." not within a twentieth part of the market price." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on desk. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it nice household for a young lady." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. again on its way. "My dear Holmes!" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance,"