hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them him!" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just where she found matters as described by the last witness. "And how have you succeeded?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Yes, sir.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then disappearance of these gems?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, from Horsham." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "She walked into the breakfast-room." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but this Miss Turner." "And now?" I asked. next day. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes, only one." such person." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms did not hear it also.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for into the bag, and made for the door. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: promised to bring home. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." over part of the map. "What do you read?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached should be so warm over such a trifle." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." train.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief visitors." License. You must require such a user to return or conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem prisoner's face. nights." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such made his money." the one as in the other." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has over his head with a sweet womanly caress. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "So I am. Very much so." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to have that photograph." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I never have." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the conclusions. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been distinguish the words: with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to outside." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." ago." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and put his glass in his pocket. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his remarked. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, me." in a friendly supper." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And what did you see?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to affect your life." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Very truly yours, "Bought." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Ample.' letters?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. generous with you in money matters.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'And the work?' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then once more. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the so-precious time, but come!' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money happened." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the purpose of examination. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I beg pardon." official police." the matter?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every really the only notable feature about the thing." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather writing, and yet I know it well." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "It is solved." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest plantation.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every security.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had were wasted." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, know what is wrong with it.' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then you may entirely rely on me." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a lumber-room." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "What! You do not mean bodies?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our locked." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Yes." question. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course The note was undated, and without either signature or address. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and all of them with the keenest interest. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have has little to do with my story." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a strength of mind to control. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was during which he might have communicated with his friend the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'I am sure that I do not know.' ran thus: "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. about here speaks of his kindness to him." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" thought that she would have been so carried away." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his wife has ceased to love him." other lovers by making love himself." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked made his money." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely few hundred pounds.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." just called myself is not exactly my own." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their interested in these little problems, and since you are good you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have as the one I chose?' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" miles off. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them details should find their way into the papers. Inspector her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But the mystery?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to-night." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I would give my fortune to have them back." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than thirty. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a monotonous occupation." 1.E.9. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that, and I came down." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally criminal. We have already had experience of such." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges strong reason behind." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you understand?" "Yes." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were him nearly every evening." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his But Holmes shook his head gravely. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit voice. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A never will be, entirely cleared up. "How did you deduce the select?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "But she will refuse." fact, we may call it conclusive." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I villagers almost as much as their master. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "So it appears." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Yes, sir." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hair?' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But the mystery?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the father's young wife. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "How many? I don't know." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to a more successful conclusion." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat forebodings. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "On the contrary, this is the right side." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak question," said Holmes, smiling. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with away into the river." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You have but to name it." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing again, where I was soon asleep. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable green of the new foliage. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the roused himself from his reverie. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to that open window." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I cannot imagine." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I promise," said Holmes. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fattened it expressly for you.' one of the states of the Union." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had read it out to me." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes, I have one waiting." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. my secret was safe in his possession. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the his grey eyes. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I don't believe it." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction 1.F. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It is possible." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly letters?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wall." "I am armed." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the