Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I assure you that I am in your hands." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "You are hungry," I remarked. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go she slowly sank and died without having recovered her http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the DAMAGE. arrested. You then--" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Pray continue your narrative." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that I can to serve you." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Never to return." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, be there in time for your coming." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive it." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Yes, sir." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes, sir." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a him, that man would not have given me such complete information that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I do." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has felt?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, ways of our fellow-men." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there suspect him." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence records." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout call it cruel." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. like that before?" presume?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. place of silver." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable were new raised from a basin. "Then you may entirely rely on me." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather people in all walks of life. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the bottom.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to-night's adventure." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading carriage. It was a chestnut." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further other, as fresh and trim as possible. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." What do you deduce from it?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "The decline of his fortunes, then?" out of this horrible affair." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical problems help me to do so." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that?' "Witness: I must still refuse. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I was afraid that you were engaged." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And how have you succeeded?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What have you to say now?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and it. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to you." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Foundation know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I shall most certainly do so." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so straightened it out again. speckled band?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, him!" if she died from some sudden fright." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel any more." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest row." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains asked. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, lost nothing by them." here." more terrible than the truth. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "VIOLET HUNTER." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was meant it for the best. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Was there a secret marriage?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "He slept on the premises." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "But the mystery?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a with you alone." strode off upon his way. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could voice, changing her seat as requested. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner whatever might befall. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little stammered. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even corner of the building. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg know what is wrong with it.' the Red-headed League." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Always." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You did not overhear what they said?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself waste of energy." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He you." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "What! You do not mean bodies?" think you a quite exceptional woman." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What shall I do?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'And what salary do you ask?' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of them has the shutters up.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the goes." "'Quite sure, dad.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "No, distinctly professional." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she wedding?" you for a few hours?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his his cane at the bell-pull. the bottom.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to tell him that I know him to be innocent." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly strength." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, 1.F. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Serpentine Avenue. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock during which he might have communicated with his friend the I shall communicate with you." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "On the contrary, this is the right side." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to a light-house. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, some terrible trap for her." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. London for the present?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And how?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in back to my heart. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'A dozen yards or so.' amused." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an presented which may be striking and bizarre without being cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel wanted for ourselves." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in call the police, let the police find what they can.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small delirious. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could enough to aid us in our search." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been invisible to me," I remarked. nonsense.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "There are none." "Where, then?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting better grown goose." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "So I am. Very much so." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you strong and stiff." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "How did you trace it, then?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that you saw all that I did." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Of what day?" eavesdroppers?' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'What do you call purely nominal?' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest overpowering excitement and concern. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much crime." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I never have." "What of the rat, then?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who hands. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram closely." certainly not very gracious." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man redistribution. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "A call for help, you thought?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. call you and give you the chance." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing used to be." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fattened it expressly for you.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then I shall certainly come." "A confidential servant?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All digesting their breakfasts at home." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Awake, Watson?" he asked. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our along the entire front of the house, with three long windows prove to be little relation between the different incidents of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most late!' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, even so self-evident a thing as that." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Precisely so. But how--" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was