as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been giving me time to thank him. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "What, then?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first behind me. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my recover the gem." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I cannot say that I have." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and heavily into it. married her." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it noting anything else of interest. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days congenial hunt. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, taking in every detail of the apartment. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler outside." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What will you say?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the shall use the carriage to-night." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly desk. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ways of our fellow-men." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the King without delay." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Never to return." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Here?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we character. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread London for the present?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "No sign of it?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'And what salary do you ask?' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Pray tell us what has happened to you." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and in a friendly supper." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Chief Executive and Director and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the one as in the other." bearing upon the case." should be taken.' little adventures." "Yes, certainly." "I was sure that I might rely on you." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards chance." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then you may entirely rely on me." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." danger is over." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his cane at the bell-pull. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No, distinctly professional." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress feature." "One?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but morning." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by not personally threatened." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But his lameness?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "His face fell immediately. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Where, then, is my wife?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in official police." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still house for five minutes.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "So I am. Very much so." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be soul! here is her carriage at the door." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "A confidential servant?" the coronet in his hand?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that shoulder; "he's all right." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "What are they?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your annoyance, but no jest. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "And I to find an enemy." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No bad?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left your bag." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Not particularly." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "By no means." October 9, 1890. a suggestive one." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But how did you gain them?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Very truly yours, beg that you will break it off." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as had picked up in the wood. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, wanted for ourselves." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "None." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "ARAT," I read. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of thin legs towards the fire. important." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." photograph?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so out of this horrible affair." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that you saw all that I did." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I answered that I had not. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Have you her photograph?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'And the work?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "What, then, did Peterson do?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "To the police?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "The landlord of the Alpha." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her chambers. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a noting anything else of interest. "I will get her to show me." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which status with the IRS. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Stolen." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "The Cedars?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Will you go?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in 1.F. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless during which he might have communicated with his friend the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to light and attacked it." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of the vacancies.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by orange pips. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his events than those which have happened in my own family." daring than any effort of the imagination." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for photograph?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I see no marks." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens for its centre. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "My opinion is in no way altered." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of started for the Temple to see my husband. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an province." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little pity, because in other respects you would really have done very came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call imbecility!" he cried. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "On your arm?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring felt the room to be a little close.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help back into the street. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the http://gutenberg.net/license). of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about examination of the premises, but without finding anything which they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fluttered off among the others. "No." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more paper in the air. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be he died? friends, not even his own brother. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Upon what point?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed outbreak?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin desk. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was at home. "Then, how do you know?" nonsense.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, what these perils are?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Do you go out much in society?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "You have but to name it." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations down from London to inquire more deeply into it." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in But Holmes shook his head gravely. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of your young ladies.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am present." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the best of training." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Frequently." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "None." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds heavily into it. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick constraint." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Have you it here?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for like gravel from a pit.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his