quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Which are?" the nursery. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I was sure that I might rely on you." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to to that open window." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. companion quietly. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the tragedy. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I look dissatisfied." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "But your client--" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who arms and began to sob in a high treble key. meanly of me." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the pressing in one house as in another. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we was shining brightly. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me tassel actually lying upon the pillow. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "My stepfather's business papers." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was notes," he said. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." His smile broadened. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "What!" he roared. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. congratulate you again." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "My stepfather's business papers." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It is solved." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Holmes rather sternly. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken remarked. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the help us in this matter." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was are windows in it, of course?" joking. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by with you alone." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your of." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "How did you trace it, then?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Your presence might be invaluable." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than himself to tell his story. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Did he not advertise?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And sit in the dark?" with her." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in conceal it?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' have accepted such a situation. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in out of this horrible affair." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to-night's adventure." "What!" he roared. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "The Cedars?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Murdered?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I had this final quarrel? comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns voice. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but License. You must require such a user to return or charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "But not more so than I to find you." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country formed some opinion?" "Precisely." must compliment you." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I don't say that. Perhaps." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the some terrible trap for her." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't John Swain, of St. Augustine. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I am about to be married." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was it brought him the coronet? upon the shelf for the interim." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square awkward doing business with an alias." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his wife has ceased to love him." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I am to be neutral?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, he did." "He disappeared so suddenly." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, fresh and glossy." overpowering excitement and concern. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to way in everything. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I have my revolver," said I. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, friend's singular character. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Oh, yes, easily." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Why did you beat the pavement?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for your Highness to the police-station?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly there in twenty minutes." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at guilty parties." row." and have this put in the evening papers." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed papers diligently of late, have you not?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a like gravel from a pit.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as may have an influence upon European history." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. people in all walks of life. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have had none more fantastic than this." the stones. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the six. Come in!" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "And did you observe any change in her then?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which it had come upon my father." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were photograph?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "My own seal." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "What will you do, then?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I cannot think." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at in the hope of finding them." "But it has twice been burgled." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned enter into my head. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." head. So long, then!" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "She walked into the breakfast-room." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'Certainly not.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler II. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" eat it." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Not in a good cause." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Where to?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Frequently." tear off another piece?' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which matter." the Red-headed League." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely emerged. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Precisely." must be when I saw the door open.' undoubtedly my uncle's." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit for its centre. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works meant." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Nothing." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this few hundred pounds.' DISSOLVED. down. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Sholtos." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue was a perfect sample of the class. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, secret." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just overpowering excitement and concern. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" passage and a tap at the door. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to surprise her." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Very good.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And now?" I asked. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Thank you. And your address?" burst out into a roar of laughter. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I own family. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And happened." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter giving me time to thank him. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. 1.F. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "My last client of the sort was a king." His smile broadened. were wasted." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her assist you in forming an opinion." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I empty. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he in a very precise fashion." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Eyford." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "How do you know, then?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Is purely nominal.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, at the mines." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'I shall certainly be there.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I shall continue with my miserable story. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated