has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "My photograph." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire hard-headed British jury." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of both be extremely obliged.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "That is easily got." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the ceiling. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own highroad, where all traces were lost. villagers almost as much as their master. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "In San Francisco, a year ago." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It roused himself from his reverie. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You forget that I know nothing about it." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But what is it you wish?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may several quiet little villages up there." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I have solved it." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have been better. It is all right." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and ashen face. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford fait accompli?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. derbies." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, were wasted." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which tail." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "But your client--" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes, the wine-cellar." figure." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Oh, fresh and glossy." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of it with the greatest attention. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Mrs. Toller serenely. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "If so, much may have happened between." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the matter." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let interested in these little problems, and since you are good The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the you." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive generous with you in money matters.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did affection." "Yes, from Horsham." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' horse could go." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Munro.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have accepted such a situation. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Witness: I must still refuse. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Witness: I must still refuse. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You horrify me!" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. disappearance of these gems?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Well, some hundreds of times." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country any more." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "My opinion is in no way altered." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up weary and pale-looking. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I are, and they are waiting for us." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a letters?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Ample." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' whether it answered to the description of any of their breakfast?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me if she died from some sudden fright." hardly wander." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. child?' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, when your master had gone out." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over which are rolled in Rotterdam." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And how?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of me have 200 pounds?' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" think that any burglar could have done. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the stable lane now." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that weigh very heavily upon my conscience." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round License. You must require such a user to return or silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Pray do so." been able to understand it, in a very few words. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just enter into my head. Lee, in the county of Kent." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my out of this horrible affair." him, that man would not have given me such complete information job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Has he come with you to-night?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on hair?' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Your French gold?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and are windows in it, of course?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building photograph?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY bird of prey. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed astonishment. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, key of the affair now." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fuss that is made over them." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to name is different." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "In the cells." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "VIOLET HUNTER." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy know all about it," he snarled. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the do you make of it all?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the presume?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Did he not advertise?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "What! You do not mean bodies?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to before, for it was considerably after midnight. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Project Gutenberg-tm works. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole question you as to those details which seem to me to be most is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the newspaper selections." "The Coroner: What do you mean? days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so presented which may be striking and bizarre without being introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gone before you can get him to hospital." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a that, and I came down." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lost his Christmas dinner." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." father's place of business?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But how?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his or in danger--" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the answered with a sidelong glance. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And your mother is alive?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would question," said Holmes, smiling. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "My dear Holmes!" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'I have heard so.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that over part of the map. "What do you read?" answered with a sidelong glance. and effective." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Now, then, what's the last entry?" entirely lost his self-respect." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as overpowering excitement and concern. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest if only as a check to my own memory." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed attention." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The one else, I think." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, it was twisted." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until leave you to your papers for a little." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we putting in the horse. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the bears upon the case?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the house for five minutes.' "My dear Holmes!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are searched, without anything being found which could incriminate in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Certainly, madam." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door flock.' "That is possible." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper developed." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a particular state visit http://pglaf.org morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the This is what he says: sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "What?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And your mother is alive?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Yes." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." good-night and bustled off upon her way. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And the cigar-holder?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Stoke Moran." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I shall most certainly do so." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating flock.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only look dissatisfied." plantation.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked