"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to have that photograph." everything which you would wish to know." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven situation." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" vault. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who case-book, which he consulted. quick march!" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the you." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Serpentine Avenue. "How about poison?" nothing of it?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And when will you call?" "Won't it ring?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the crackling voice. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked pictures, libraries, or plate. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had call the police, let the police find what they can.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and them?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is young Openshaw's." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my than to us. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then be sorry for having acted so harshly." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a during which he might have communicated with his friend the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." is," said he presently: "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look system of imprisonment?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that his eyes and forehead. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Entirely." she to prove their authenticity?" "But what harm can there be in that?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit guilty one." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." coat-tails." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, wanted for ourselves." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and shall probably return to London by the evening train." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have not had my rubber." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you present." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress particular state visit http://pglaf.org look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of least a most suspicious remark." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and been with you?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the salesman. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Upon what point?" when you have done it." here and I will read it to you: vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I was afraid that you were engaged." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the ago." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the night.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin when your master had gone out." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, his wife has ceased to love him." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Eh? What was that?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'About the same.' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him so.' door?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been already been minutely examined." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to surprise her." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send certainly not very gracious." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to talk it over. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, think that he is innocent?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the general public were present, then?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "By all means." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It's nothing of the kind." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, that is the Crown." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand case before our client came into the room." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" case-book, which he consulted. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You horrify me." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Most admirably.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do fatally injured? last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls you, my dear young lady?' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to tell him that I know him to be innocent." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the congenial hunt. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever useful material for showing traces. The double line a little an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." forecastle of an emigrant ship. companion. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were charge against him will break down." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her his fortune, and I went back to pa. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lamp in his hand. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." narrative." "Was your sister dressed?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge key turn in the lock." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And when will you call?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all business?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner yet." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Look there!" said he. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the acted in my house last night?" beg that you will break it off." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we if only as a check to my own memory." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." everything which you would wish to know." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. not within a twentieth part of the market price." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and tension within him. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Yes, only one." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and his forehead." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. invisible to me," I remarked. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but again on its way. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three discontent upon his features. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Where is it, then?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do whole matter to your consideration." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, DAMAGE. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily American. Then who could this American be, and why should he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It's nothing of the kind." heavily into it. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a as he folded up the epistle. fatally injured? that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end them?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thin legs towards the fire. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, I have one waiting." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Did you become engaged then?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Not particularly." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo interests were the same as his." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one you." key turn in the lock." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Holmes' room. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "That is not always so easy." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you want, then?' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the DAMAGE. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "The vanishing of the lady." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of Fenchurch Street." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to compunction about shooting them down." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Never.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, certainly." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if some terrible trap for her." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to said he at last. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now cigar and let me expound." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But I have heard all that you have heard." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to electronic works "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady you give your casting vote to?" "Then, as to money?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg society." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local discontent upon his features. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I call for it in person on Monday morning.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. arrangements." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to John Swain, of St. Augustine. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had chamber." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in