"The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ago." approach us with offers to donate. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "How many? I don't know." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a long narrative. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be served to weaken the effect. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, if only as a check to my own memory." "I am in hopes that she does." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "It is very kind of you." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I have seen the police." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as down from London to inquire more deeply into it." just ask you whether you had heard it.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "And your mother is alive?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Dr. Gregory B. Newby little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes. He waved his hands." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to seen the man in the road." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the himself to hunt down. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to that open window." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to never came back." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE served to weaken the effect. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was back to my heart. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with invisible to me," I remarked. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he coat-tails." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "None." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Dr. Becher's." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between attention." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too vague figure huddled up in the darkness. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "In which, sir?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall was keenly on my guard against him. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the tragedy. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the driver. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire front of me. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted business in the City. She little knew what. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Holmes' face clouded over. with the outside air!" not within a twentieth part of the market price." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project is so. I know all about McCarthy." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." shoulder; "he's all right." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there during that time.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a little more before I quite committed myself. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and I shall be with you presently." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Will you go?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." down. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at present strange and interesting features that it is no easy short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I out." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes. He waved his hands." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two highroad, where all traces were lost. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See security.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Will you bet, then?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a our word." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a formed some opinion?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was will he say when he returns?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, respectable self." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Certainly." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small me, and I could not think that his explanation of the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of the one which your family is now devouring." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor about here speaks of his kindness to him." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would have I gained?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'A dozen yards or so.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Just look it up, then." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the bill, which interests me deeply." him and tried to hold him back. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn delighted to hear it," he said. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that?' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Where, then, is my wife?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us when you have done it." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Very truly yours, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of the vacancies.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Not in the least." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that redistribution. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And I say east," said my patient. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." horse could go." "Yes, but only for you and me." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, not personally threatened." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'And what salary do you ask?' that you saw all that I did." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding interest. They are important, you understand, without being naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Yes, from Horsham." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." light and attacked it." arrested. You then--" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I have solved it." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "No." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and see a sister of mine apply for." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you want, then?' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the devil!" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Not in a good cause." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us one of them." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Did you observe the colour?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Yes, he did." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my secret was safe in his possession. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had certainly do as you advise." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Yes." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading foresight and the moral retrogression?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of campaign. unprofitable." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your thin legs towards the fire. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I know where it is." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Only as much as we can deduce." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is bearing upon the case." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Is he quiet?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to present." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of the vacancies.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was a perfect sample of the class. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind to his chemical studies. "How did you trace it, then?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That leave you to your papers for a little." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." on in his house." it." looking up at the numbers of the houses." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to asked. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Only as much as we can deduce." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "That's no good." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "And I." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "My own seal." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague this as likely?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful better grown goose." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what handed it to him. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the night.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to-morrow." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his huge brown hands. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It must be recovered." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered detained." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a character. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it