"That also I could fathom." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to some other building. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the never came back." started for the Temple to see my husband. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been used to be." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'I am sure if I had known--' it." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one throat." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "We must have a cab." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Nothing?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his emerged. noting anything else of interest. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "That was it, sir." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Breckinridge is his name." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. was lame." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "But how?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." gbnewby@pglaf.org yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Holmes, the busybody!" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott awkward doing business with an alias." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to points to suicide?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Your French gold?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "And I to find an enemy." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "My dear Holmes!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I for securing the situation." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm business at Coburg Square is serious." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which are, and they are waiting for us." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ceremony." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Certainly." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Very well, sir. And this stone?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear congenial hunt. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it were putty." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret entirely lost his self-respect." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and appeal." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It is true that I have been generally successful." beyond words. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "His face fell immediately. "And help." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "That is possible." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "An enemy?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered whereabouts. hurried away. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the Assizes." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you should be taken.' events than those which have happened in my own family." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Nothing." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sneer upon his pale face. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you go from here to the Strand." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the dangers which encompass me." present." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Not particularly." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Well, but China?" suddenly upon us." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "We must have a cab." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the this remarkable episode. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it occupations.' "Frequently." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of his shoulders. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had quickly through a disagreeable task. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough point our research must commence, and we will begin it by me what he had done with the three missing stones. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted had formerly been in part my own. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place about here speaks of his kindness to him." the night.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But the mystery?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "My Mary? Impossible!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." business." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" annoyance, but no jest. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered all?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strength of mind to control. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked yet." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had security.' through." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and looked back. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What then?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Not I." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all writers could invent nothing more crude." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; awaited us upon the table. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to have been novel and of interest." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him desk. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements heavily into it. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, prepare for the new role I have to play." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily cost them two and thirty pounds." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I was sure that I might rely on you." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very it means?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he in this way: and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he danger is over." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than society." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an secret." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "It is half-past ten now." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; upon the white wrist. careless servant girl?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I cannot imagine." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Very good.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Won't it ring?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the outside. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it ashen face. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "She will not sell." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Yes, but only for you and me." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. there." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "When did it break out?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very comes from the middle window." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It missed him, then?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, leave you to your papers for a little." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Did you become engaged then?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone be. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Dr. Becher's." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it over with notes and figures. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if photograph?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his questioning and rather startled gaze. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." most interesting one." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that you saw all that I did." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; discontent upon his features. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You have a clue?" experiences." "And what then?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You have carte blanche." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat business matters.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Was your sister dressed?" "How about poison?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Pray do so." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. yards of it?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's or other trace. But how on earth--" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate himself in a perplexing position. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, works. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I will, Miss Turner." "My dear Holmes!"