him. here and I will read it to you: an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And why?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore shall not find me ungrateful." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "So I am. Very much so." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a certainly do as you advise." nothing of it?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really following enigmatical notices: "Yes. He waved his hands." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of the way of danger. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "No." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Your sister is dead, then?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the it. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the trying to your nerves." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "To an end?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Why that?' I asks. newspaper selections." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival over with notes and figures. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Do you go out much in society?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Certainly, madam." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Foundation these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping do.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking any more." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "None." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event enter into my head. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He really the only notable feature about the thing." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal be.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing arrangements." "10th. John Swain cleared. this man was intellectual?" fact, we may call it conclusive." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between think that any burglar could have done. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "One horse?" interjected Holmes. woven round him. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears tied." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." least a most suspicious remark." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the carpenter." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without article?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I some city in a dream. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a future lives." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'And what salary do you ask?' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'I shall certainly be there.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. investigation." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more think, you have already met." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter fatally injured? word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I cannot imagine." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "We have tried and failed." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Then, how do you know?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "By all means." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. careless servant girl?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Where did you address your letters, then?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from for securing the situation." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." from you?" companion imperturbably. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I deduce something from that?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the directors, with the result that you have seen." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel salesman. "No, distinctly professional." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in conceal it?" "And now?" I asked. the tragedy. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it License. You must require such a user to return or our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "My opinion is in no way altered." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The best possible." writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Yes, it was gone.' "It is a murder, then?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which thirty. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella wanted for ourselves." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "He disappeared so suddenly." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which country, and eventually married, without anyone having a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I saw her in conversation with her maid." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal take the flies, but not before." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Certainly." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. coroner's jury." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." During two years I have had three consultations and one small having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, hereditary King of Bohemia." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah used to be." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Your presence might be invaluable." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in done what I asked you, Jones?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. records." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know approach us with offers to donate. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Did he not advertise?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Where, then?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about said he, "my real name is James Ryder." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend copied or distributed: know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And you can do nothing until then?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short chemical work which was so dear to him. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found tail." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes, only one." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very felt?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, good for you to do.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor away in different directions, and I went off to make my own scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Why serious?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gentleman's clothes. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest this Miss Turner." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And the cigar-holder?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fluttered off among the others. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "And when will you call?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our too. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Not in the least." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "My own seal." business." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." this man was intellectual?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Certainly." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It missed him, then?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. little adventures." him, that man would not have given me such complete information drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Nothing?" voice, changing her seat as requested. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There works. See paragraph 1.E below. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have seven miles from Eyford Station.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And how did you find out?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon cigar and let me expound." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. quite distinctive." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! lids now and glanced across at his visitor. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Just look it up, then." attention." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the stones. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Do you know him?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' or other trace. But how on earth--" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him night.' said he. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You are hungry," I remarked. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Then how many are there?" look dissatisfied." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Oh, fresh and glossy." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses page at http://pglaf.org elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, he did." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be awkward doing business with an alias." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Ample.' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough eat it." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no putting in the horse. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And when will you call?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And how have you succeeded?" "'Ample.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "And the cigar-holder?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "What is it?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done me where it went to?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. persecution?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You were travelling in the States?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed husband's writing, madam." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Countess of Morcar's?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her