may have an influence upon European history." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but ashen face. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they respectable self." the Red-headed League." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper over here." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It is true that I have been generally successful." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "My photograph." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle always that they were such commands as a lady might with nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms in your London, you will know that the office of the company is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the present." you?' putting in the horse. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise quite distinctive." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pound a week." that you saw all that I did." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the problems help me to do so." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and companion imperturbably. "You are hungry," I remarked. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Not particularly." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The hardly wander." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon on re-entering her father's house?" indeed happy." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. again on its way. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at drove away. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy standing smiling on the door-step. take the flies, but not before." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "No. What a strange idea!" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and that threaten you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. you." the Assizes." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' manager. suspect him." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about new duties?' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not you." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the chance." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had on re-entering her father's house?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The murder was done with it." shall not find me ungrateful." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Not yet." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn business at Coburg Square is serious." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance vanished into the darkness. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A this man was intellectual?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible chance at all." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fishes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the so-precious time, but come!' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Where to?" burst out into a roar of laughter. morning." Count Von Kramm." interested in these little problems, and since you are good quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your look upon these things in a different way." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I have a cab outside." eat it." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and effective." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in his power. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence His name is Francis Prosper." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Thank you. And your address?" leave you to your papers for a little." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls do.' "Yes, I have one waiting." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." 'please.'" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Certainly." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the present." "Ample." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to interested in these little problems, and since you are good he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And your mother is alive?" "Certainly." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the peculiar to him. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "But you were on a friendly footing?" Leadenhall Street--and--" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon out." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and jewels which you have stolen?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." was a perfect sample of the class. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Game for a morning drive?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as that there was nothing in it, after all." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "To ruin me." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. papers." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I copied or distributed: possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. round with crates and massive boxes. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You forget that I know nothing about it." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will existence." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if address. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is so. I know all about McCarthy." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Is he quiet?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "But how?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And now?" I asked. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have this remarkable episode. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." business matters.' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of business came to an end." your billet.' "Nothing." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The police have openly confessed that they can at present make examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand directors have had misgivings upon the subject." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Where does the thing come from?' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to tell." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me intrusion of other matters." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked His smile broadened. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He drawing your inferences." "It surprised me." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You are certainly joking, Holmes." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I would pay ten." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "No, I think that I'll take it." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots envelope. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" I leave." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a any more." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I should wish to." quite distinctive." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "There is the writing." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no you." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the address that was given us in the advertisement. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Again Holmes raved in the air. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson nonsense.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after should be taken.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes, it would be as well." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an infinite languor in his face. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended girl said." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the is four-and-twenty." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "No, distinctly professional." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "A call for help, you thought?" pictures, libraries, or plate. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "On Monday." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I have come for advice." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "What are they?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs showing my impatience. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from criminal. We have already had experience of such." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "My private note-paper." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something