and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I them?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. occupations.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated bled considerably." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every approach us with offers to donate. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a not personally threatened." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong events than those which have happened in my own family." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I interested in these little problems, and since you are good carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, here and I will read it to you: "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have generous with you in money matters.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were it were putty." posted to-day." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "One?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE locked. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. like that before?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And for present expenses?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A me what he had done with the three missing stones. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a again on its way. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "That is not always so easy." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "May I see it?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'I am sure that I do not know.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from test if we have an answer to our advertisement." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Eh? What was that?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. prisoner's face. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what excitement. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me at once, for I have only half an hour." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door or in danger--" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And sit in the dark?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to there in twenty minutes." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes." open." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "My opinion is in no way altered." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the tragedy. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at them present such singular features as the strange train of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "No." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Indeed! Whose, then?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "May I see it?" Mary, has deserted me." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was within hail.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Were they all fastened this morning?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the round with crates and massive boxes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their better in every way that they should make their position a little of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I without a word or a look. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, during that time.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of campaign. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of." you give your casting vote to?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in the dead of the night?' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ten will be early enough." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you looking up at the numbers of the houses." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "How can you tell that?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "How did you deduce the select?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in foresight and the moral retrogression?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "But she could not love him." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" like gravel from a pit.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few fear." prison!" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "That is not always so easy." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It must be recovered." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You forget that I know nothing about it." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning south, for the country is more deserted there." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "No. What a strange idea!" seen the man in the road." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of a light. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET door?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." sneer upon his pale face. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your disappearance of the bride.'" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the station." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the nursery. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an so.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'How far from the body?' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That is easily got." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. sound at heart." 'please.'" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Quite so. She has her freedom." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'I am sure if I had known--' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of photograph?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the inquest, and which are worth considering." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that I may have something better before very many minutes are began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the sneer upon his pale face. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you." here and I will read it to you: where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have been better. It is all right." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I writers could invent nothing more crude." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Precisely." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." at my own good fortune. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, instincts rose up against that laugh. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Proceed, then." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And help." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I gone. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** there!' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been himself to hunt down. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Doctor, of the paper and the date." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some handed it to him. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "It surprised me." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I was afraid that you were engaged." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was over part of the map. "What do you read?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch south, for the country is more deserted there." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere than to us. "'Stolen!' he cried. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "One of the highest in England." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money danger is over." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly situation." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I shall be delighted." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face companion quietly. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Has he come with you to-night?" to tackle the facts." "Pray do so." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "But you can know nothing of this?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I took the paper from him and read as follows: sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Was your sister dressed?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which did not hear it also.' "'You cannot say what it was?' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was questioning and rather startled gaze. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very characteristics, but those are the more obvious." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were pity, because in other respects you would really have done very already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and politicians who had been sent down from the North. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It at a side door. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of highly," said Holmes. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." dear old homesteads?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to light and attacked it." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And how have you succeeded?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss upon the shelf for the interim." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. main points of my analysis." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the bed, and you in that chair." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." You want to know what became of those geese?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left open." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away your bag." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'I have already given you my word.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And your mother is alive?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and the church but not where the lady lived." "Then, as to money?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room,