bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But it has twice been burgled." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not guilty one." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Tired-looking or fresh?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the child." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "That is it on the dressing-table." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I have it here in my museum." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said he, "my real name is James Ryder." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me tell me that you intended to go into harness." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the coroner come to?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up for and were ordered to this address. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." was not a bird to be seen there. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which upon the sideboard." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "How can you tell that?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to come either from the window or the door. My attention was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the tragedy. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes." "Very murderous indeed." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "How can you tell that?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Yes, sir.' "No." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Did he not advertise?" guilty one." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable cigars in their mouths. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." trying to your nerves." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always said I. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lost nothing by them." "It is solved." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to were new raised from a basin. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Foundation which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that not come at once?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "How did he come?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. train.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I see no marks." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered never to learn it at all." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "What of the rat, then?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he outbreak?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'About the same.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to if I call to-morrow?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf time." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from the brougham. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bled considerably." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is his hat." call for it in person on Monday morning.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property wall." maiden herself was most instructive." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom weary and pale-looking. envelope. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I good for you to do.' bonnet, and went out." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the roots. "You have a clue?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Eyford at 11:15.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon better in every way that they should make their position a little dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Really! You surprise me." "No, thank goodness, she did not." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the you in your example." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would confronted him. I shall communicate with you." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on emerged. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, used to be." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic stalked out of the room. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'I am sure if I had known--' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Heh?' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "At what time?" "Yes, he did." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the your own bird, so if you wish--" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and laid it on the table. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No, finished." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed said he. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the Red-headed League." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by done what I asked you, Jones?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems mysterious end." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the room while you explain this matter?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not ourselves in the office." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I don't believe it." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to leave you to your papers for a little." conceal it?" "I know where it is." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Your presence might be invaluable." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Precisely so. But how--" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left ventilator." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. a monotonous occupation." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a rose-bushes. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "The rest you will leave in our hands." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the your room." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away salesman. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came read it out to me." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to-night?" I asked. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several fashion which was peculiar to him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the best of training." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." noting anything else of interest. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon himself to tell his story. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert said Mr. Holder. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "At the wedding breakfast." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see prepare for the new role I have to play." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very face and glided from the room. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Never.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so his face which made him a very different person to the round, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and very old mansion. occupations.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Look there!" said he. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from helping a boy to put up the shutters. yet." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "But it has twice been burgled." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from know all about it," he snarled. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen floor. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "How did you deduce the select?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his my former friend and companion. already referred to. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Was he the only applicant?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Farm upon the left." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Does that suggest anything?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my than was visible to me." "It's nothing of the kind." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door might have a private word with us. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the your room." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "But you have hopes?" very old mansion. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was shining brightly. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in this note: back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go not personally threatened." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to brandy and water within his reach. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered affection." "Yes, at the mines." words came to my lips. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "And you don't know his address?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without