I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case he bowed and left the room without another word. "Her father is very rich?" assist you in forming an opinion." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my better grown goose." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his learned something! Where are the gems?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will was used.' has little to do with my story." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Very murderous indeed." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "To the police?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but lumber-room." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Nothing?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban straighten it?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I was sure that I might rely on you." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. if I call to-morrow?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I am all attention, madam." him. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What will you say?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the your bag." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Never,' said I. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about face and glided from the room. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess morning." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One father's place of business?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and placed his cuttings. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Mrs. Toller serenely. rooms." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cigar and let me expound." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Then, how do you know?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds back to my heart. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "That is easily got." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is indeed which he could not unravel. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hand, madam?" our word." business matters.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him upon the shelf for the interim." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be said I. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Come in!" said Holmes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But she will refuse." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The way: no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at door?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE four million human beings all jostling each other within the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. you give your casting vote to?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. laugh and put his lips to my ear. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Can I be of assistance?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Holmes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my whole matter to your consideration." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a nonsense.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door already referred to. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere lamp. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, heavy and sharp instrument." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of it with the greatest attention. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, been." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we fish-monger and a tide-waiter." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the humiliation." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Always." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was one which it was hard to resist. own family. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and said I. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation spare." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to-night?' miles off. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Never to return." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their like that before?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I will not look." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They characteristics, but those are the more obvious." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, maid will bring up your coffee." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert open." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of Mr. Rucastle's." bird of prey. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid miles off. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, bearing upon the case." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem said I. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are seven miles from Eyford Station.' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I will not look." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in the dead of the night?' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hands. and I shall be with you presently." "No, but the enclosure is." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, disturbance in my wife." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down client, rising. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. appeal." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a suggestive one." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with obstinate." "Of Friday, June 19th." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I beg pardon." "'Then let me do so?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking call you and give you the chance." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Then I shall certainly come." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian stammered. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I this remarkable episode. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of Mr. Rucastle's." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten that, and I came down." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood were new raised from a basin. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "There are none." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it meanly of me." anything to do with the matter?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more It may be so in this case, also." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Quite so." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her compunction about shooting them down." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The sooner or later she must fall a victim. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, it would be as well." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'I have heard so.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I some terrible trap for her." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But he might be a bachelor." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his huge brown hands. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gone. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after salesman. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It this Miss Turner." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "A greater distance to travel." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and vault. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by cigar and let me expound." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning until night should bring an explanation. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "And it is--" about here speaks of his kindness to him." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the address that was given us in the advertisement. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I beg pardon." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a fashion which was peculiar to him. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day a monotonous occupation." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" which are rolled in Rotterdam." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Have you good authority for what you say?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow conceal it?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. excitement. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I am to be neutral?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "But what will you do?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There gone. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my secret was safe in his possession. was used.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a served to weaken the effect. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." most interesting one." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And why?" Street. me. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Nearly eleven." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that, and I came down." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Never." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he believe that I should never have any practice at all. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had bachelor.' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for secret." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with undoubtedly my uncle's." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and a shock of very red hair. "Very truly yours, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside light and attacked it." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The never will be, entirely cleared up. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It is possible." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And why?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, as he remarks, very much against the son." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for footfalls from the street. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you him to be an active member of the medical profession." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the manager. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old