hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should wedding?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel business?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to ran thus: snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker it." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And who is her maid?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What, then, did Peterson do?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had formerly been in part my own. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in a friendly supper." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the chamber." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes, from Horsham." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low better grown goose." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." acquaintance?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm were new raised from a basin. have got?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to mysterious business." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "But of what society?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "That's no good." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were empty. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Holmes' thin, eager face. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker companion imperturbably. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley him!" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that there was nothing in it, after all." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Ample.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled my room." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and prosperity to your house. Good-night." this man was intellectual?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my disappearance of these gems?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make my friend's incisive reasoning. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, results." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is rose-bushes. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." will he say when he returns?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent emerged. "And your mother is alive?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads fish-monger and a tide-waiter." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who could not account in any way for the presence of the missing though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had picked up in the wood. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Not in a good cause." them?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, his forehead." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Foundation upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I have it here in my museum." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Well?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Perfectly so." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his face. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, it was twisted." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if some terrible trap for her." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Is he quiet?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and What do you deduce from it?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend call it cruel." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our criminal. We have already had experience of such." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, has little to do with my story." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a married her." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against formed some opinion?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." yards of it?' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, delirious. "But of what society?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Never,' said I. "And I to find an enemy." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and This is what he says: The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "What! a murderous attack?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." evidence," I remarked. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Not him." never to learn it at all." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "How can you tell that?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and looked back. emerged. dead, shall be safe with us." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some villagers almost as much as their master. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes, certainly." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was shining brightly. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to papers diligently of late, have you not?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her fact, we may call it conclusive." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'What do you call purely nominal?' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it might have a private word with us. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I am sure." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I shall communicate with you." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and have this put in the evening papers." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared face and glided from the room. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open could gather together that I was able to avert another public in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect forehead. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my opened the door, and slipped through. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the mystery!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a my special province." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was keenly on my guard against him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "10th. John Swain cleared. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would helping a boy to put up the shutters. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "When did it break out?" will take you up to see the machine.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "And why?" here." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "That is not always so easy." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in business came to an end." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I don't believe it." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, sake, don't!" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is rooms." returning from some small jollification and was making his way existence." narrative." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily lost his Christmas dinner." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "One?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and I held the little printed slip to the light. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the noble correspondent could be. what do you think they found in the pockets?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "But how did you gain them?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the up this clue while it is still hot." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ashen face. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You know me, then?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I have hopes." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "By all means." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It forbidden door. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his fortune, and I went back to pa. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry quite distinctive." "I am to be neutral?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added their singular warning or token before them when starting upon colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "What are they?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper out of this horrible affair." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I have hopes." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No, distinctly professional." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." ran thus: Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "My own seal." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and no precautions can guard against." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I have solved it." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And how did you verify them?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see manager. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. really the only notable feature about the thing." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first help us in this matter." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried photograph a cabinet?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?"