moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. feature." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It missed him, then?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in a very precise fashion." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond daring than any effort of the imagination." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "We have tried and failed." said he. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as head. So long, then!" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I am in hopes that she does." "So I have heard." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted client, rising. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, sofa. This way, please!" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Yes, that is the Crown." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out one of them." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And you can do nothing until then?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Where, then?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the I leave." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "That is possible." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 seen the man in the road." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Stoke Moran?" said he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of I was concerned in it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly you came in." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hair?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Your French gold?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own stepfather?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "No, I think that I'll take it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon you, my dear young lady?' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I never have." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said threw himself down with his face to the pillow. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of happened." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "By all means." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. him, that man would not have given me such complete information writers could invent nothing more crude." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my works. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water his face. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "What, then?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He disappeared so suddenly." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes, he did." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Where to?' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk bonnet, and went out." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the future lives." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cigars in their mouths. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must gives a meaning to it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous him nearly every evening." "Always." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Whose house is it?" affection." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "That is possible." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such noting anything else of interest. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "One of his hands." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his indeed happy." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are brain must have something in it." way in everything. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "No." highroad, where all traces were lost. "And how in the world did you find them?" detained." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly a room. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no were wasted." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of campaign. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps round and wave him away like that.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of place no limit on the sum I may draw." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced is so. I know all about McCarthy." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at conduct the inquiry." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came believe that I should never have any practice at all. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I have been better. It is all right." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his face. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. your troubles." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were not use it unless it is absolutely needed." electronic works who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I see many objections to any such theory." should be taken.' "My own seal." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away results." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the His smile broadened. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You status with the IRS. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And I." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his side. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Nothing." populous neighbourhood." and looked back. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to shall not find me ungrateful." "Tired-looking or fresh?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Which dealer's?' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But it has twice been burgled." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have had none more fantastic than this." long narrative. your billet.' have accepted such a situation. affection." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Very much so." deduce something from that?" "Really! You surprise me." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Who was the criminal, then?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a detained." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a heavily into it. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable nothing with him." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very putting in the horse. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether placed his cuttings. used to be." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had bears upon the case?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid friend's singular character. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Stolen, then." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "That is possible." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" weapon." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pound a week." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Cross for the Continent." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Where to?' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the warnings." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Is he quiet?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Eyford." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly said I. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And sit in the dark?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it strength in the others." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission shoulder. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and it." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with awkward doing business with an alias." "What can you not understand?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of against a man in the prime of life?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, cause to be." "'Entirely.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low his huge brown hands. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a electronic works "I have hopes." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the murdered man." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an was used.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that I may have something better before very many minutes are disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And how did you verify them?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at kind enough to tell me what I should do." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady guilty parties." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to surprise her." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at returned to France?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in darkness. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Heh?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of friend's singular character. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can other lovers by making love himself." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Stoke Moran?" said he. second window is the one that I jumped from." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Certainly,' I answered. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was danger is over." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third