of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he you." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "That's no good." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save 11:15.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What! You do not mean bodies?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And sit in the dark?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I own family. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy yet." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of Fenchurch Street." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always is worth.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Mary, has deserted me." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the do." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a approach us with offers to donate. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp heavily into it. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent exactly what you advise." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been little adventures." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that more terrible than the truth. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." developed." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "How did you deduce the select?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of appeal." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'In my own bureau.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Holmes' face clouded over. will not take me long to tell. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the morning." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss families. Now for the facts. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad fear." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences be there in time for your coming." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up pressing in one house as in another. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. best detective that ever lived. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I am about to be married." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It is no ordinary one." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Holmes. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I cannot imagine." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to seen the man in the road." "In the cells." he. "What! a murderous attack?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Not in a good cause." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our he bowed and left the room without another word. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. cigar and let me expound." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND posted to-day." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and the colonel ushered me in. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the allusion to a rat. hand, madam?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not thought that she would have been so carried away." Serpentine Avenue. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his she used." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes, but only for you and me." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the Assizes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Nothing." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to security.' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "But she could not love him." foot. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Nothing?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I cannot imagine." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "You will not go there first?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which matter over." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle been deceived." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." His name is Francis Prosper." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Miss Holder?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had me what he had done with the three missing stones. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to may have an influence upon European history." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: keep the flames under. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which late!' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project companion. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to miss it." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Have you it here?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after McCarthy." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Where, then, is my wife?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It shag which I had seen upon the previous night. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Sutherland. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Pray do so." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It must be recovered." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Heh?' said I. "BALLARAT." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Watson," he said cordially. newspaper selections." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom way in." my little problems." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. bled considerably." "Has he come with you to-night?" touch that coronet?' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Imitated." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." guilty one." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "One of the highest in England." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the galvanised. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to affect your life." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, it is a possible supposition." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" client, rising. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your for its centre. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, he died? had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Awake, Watson?" he asked. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Upon what point?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical had formerly been in part my own. "No." galvanised. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Well, but China?" which it had come upon my father." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you my room." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Precisely." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" events, Mr. Windibank!" bell. Holmes whistled. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, which are rolled in Rotterdam." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I will do it." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water miles off. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I companion. a little more before I quite committed myself. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You'll never persuade me to believe that." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall his knees, staring into the fire. "I would pay ten." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a suggestive one." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Witness: I must still refuse. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a compunction about shooting them down." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a bill, which interests me deeply." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he direction." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "But what will you do?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just perplexity from it to my illustrious client. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Does that suggest anything?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added you understand?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the stones. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and do you make of it all?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It is solved." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the very letters. But what is this written above them?' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "What then?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after late!' "A confidential servant?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "But what harm can there be in that?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "What office?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray secret." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" new duties?' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to speckled band?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I His smile broadened. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm