smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Young McCarthy must be got off, however." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger status with the IRS. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. strength of mind to control. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and I shall be with you presently." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Yes.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe get the tickets." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "But his lameness?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand sit on the left-hand side of the driver." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I were wasted." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he bowed and left the room without another word. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel congenial hunt. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, IS "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged suspect him." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of against a man in the prime of life?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Very good.' made his money." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we do." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried works. "Not yet." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "He slept on the premises." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Thank you. Pray proceed." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his speckled band?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to rose-bushes. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I see no marks." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Not social, then?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Who by?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Yes, from Horsham." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And that is--" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be remarked. charge against him will break down." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got nothing of it?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to-night's adventure." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. handed it to him. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And how did he make his money?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "We were both in the photograph." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking bill, which interests me deeply." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'A dozen yards or so.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes, he did." "Yes." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But the mystery?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first it." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where papers must be those that are destroyed.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And help." sooner or later she must fall a victim. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You think that he is dead?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my within hail.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "In answer to an advertisement." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I cannot think." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. dramatic, in fact." "I should like to see him very much." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dates and names. in the port of London." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my murdered man." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off nonsense.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Witness: Nothing definite. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend You want to know what became of those geese?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, over with notes and figures. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I again on its way. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly wedding?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of head. So long, then!" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than appeared upon the scene." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the bedroom door." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Not social, then?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You forget that I know nothing about it." note?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Nothing?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having late." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light him!" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than again before evening." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I cannot think." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What! You do not mean bodies?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." very morning of my second wedding." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone companion. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the second." could not have written that. It is the German who is so of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Perfectly so." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Not I." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Was the window open?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than papers." spark where all is dark to me." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. trying to your nerves." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "But what harm can there be in that?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "A confidential servant?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the strode off upon his way. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, cigar and let me expound." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this depend upon my doing so.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master infinite languor in his face. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Yes, sir.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have helping a boy to put up the shutters. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of note-paper. It read in this fashion: towards the blaze. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the very letters. But what is this written above them?' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and voice, changing her seat as requested. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "An enemy?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather main points of my analysis." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It missed him, then?" married her." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could like gravel from a pit.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." straightened it out again. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Of what day?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of one which it was hard to resist. away into the river." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I was a lad." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "At half-wages, in fact." approach us with offers to donate. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Was your sister dressed?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Oh, no.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, bachelor.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It looks newer than the other things?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming them?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the official police." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; name is different." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Holmes, the busybody!" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the burst out into a roar of laughter. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "How are you getting on?" success. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "My dear Holmes!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "We were both in the photograph." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Gutenberg-tm License. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord highroad, where all traces were lost. "I will, Miss Turner." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is thirty. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which My friend smiled. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate helping a boy to put up the shutters. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do other, as fresh and trim as possible. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, what I may call a really hard day's work." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to questioning and rather startled gaze. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the look upon these things in a different way." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the narrative." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable minor matters until to-morrow." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he detective. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." believe that I should never have any practice at all. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "How about poison?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled third from London." locked. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time them?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous that the gas is not laid on in his house?" me have 200 pounds?'