results." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the following enigmatical notices: with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You don't mind breaking the law?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "My private note-paper." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Of what day?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well." returning from some small jollification and was making his way few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and even so self-evident a thing as that." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "You are all wrong." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as away to you." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the nursery. "I see no marks." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less been with you?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the will take you up to see the machine.' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the followed. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to better in every way that they should make their position a little "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have been better. It is all right." lectures into a series of tales." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I answered that I had not. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the little opening for the ventilator is." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her correct than the official force." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem The events in question occurred in the early days of my jewels which you have stolen?' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Nothing." "What are they?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "My private note-paper." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, details." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm you want, then?' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am politicians who had been sent down from the North. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "None. Neville wrote those words." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has more terrible than the truth. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went window when the police appeared." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a During two years I have had three consultations and one small prepare for the new role I have to play." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the general public were present, then?" Sutherland. This is what he says: "And I say east," said my patient. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the indeed happy." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, your sleep?' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may introspective fashion. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a beyond words. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Oh, the cause is excellent!" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, as he remarks, very much against the son." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' for and were ordered to this address. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes, but only for you and me." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'I shall certainly be there.' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for *** START: FULL LICENSE *** We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. is four-and-twenty." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It answered with a sidelong glance. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "And the cigar-holder?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Then I shall certainly come." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the definite end. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but grasp, he hurried from the room. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "The decline of his fortunes, then?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it with his own hands." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "By no means." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which voice. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes, that is the Crown." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." your billet.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on views." and that he would see to anything that turned up. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a were unconscious?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, persecution?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "What will you say?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I am in hopes that she does." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "What steps will you take?" I asked. married her." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as yours." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' written. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the best of training." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of noting anything else of interest. "I was afraid that you were engaged." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Ample." hard-headed British jury." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their think that any burglar could have done. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "No, I am descending." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Lee, in the county of Kent." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "It was." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare neither fascinating nor artistic." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case was already answered. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "That is it on the dressing-table." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any out of this horrible affair." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Oh, no.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "That is possible." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the it." fuss that is made over them." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned room had already been engaged for us. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was was lame." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I will try. What is it?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Then the page we have seen--" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You think that he is dead?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "None." "And who is her maid?" people in all walks of life. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My business." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to arrive at through this?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'What are you doing there?' he asked. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we only touch the interest." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what felt?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a deduce something from that?" acted in my house last night?" up this clue while it is still hot." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Yes." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked anything to do with the matter?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the your Highness to the police-station?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And how did you verify them?" cause to be." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and possible that we could bring him back to her? drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. look dissatisfied." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You were travelling in the States?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less call you and give you the chance." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching answered with a sidelong glance. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began strength." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "So I have heard." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Ha! you find it so?" my little problems." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under think, you have already met." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What open." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." anything to do with the matter?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled questioning and rather startled gaze. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ways of our fellow-men." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not My friend smiled. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. evidence," I remarked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "To an end?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "But what will you do?" Clair, of Lee." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no not come at once?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these