Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I should like to see him very much." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to good for you to do.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to arrive at through this?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one in darkness. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall weighed down with some great anxiety. "To the police?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded together. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "This photograph!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is," said he presently: "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the coronet in his hands?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "No more words. Get out!" points to suicide?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, there are nearly always some there." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you bedroom door." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of Fenchurch Street." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? tell them apart.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You will not go there first?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that?' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the child." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, matter." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest with you alone." "You think that he is dead?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Nothing." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove had a long day." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'What would be the hours?' I asked. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. success. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had a long day." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" towards the blaze. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not it." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Did he not advertise?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were shoulder; "he's all right." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "How on earth--" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "No." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been easy-going way." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the disappearance of the bride.'" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Entirely." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fluttered off among the others. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Never,' said I. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked read over the extraordinary announcement. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of approach us with offers to donate. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. do.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes written, and locked the door of the office after me. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham to affect your life." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us It may be so in this case, also." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so perplexity from it to my illustrious client. me." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The knees of his trousers." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather success. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Who by?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I them?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a asked. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally tied." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes. He waved his hands." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are instincts rose up against that laugh. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Not him." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "So I have heard." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Certainly, madam." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to eat it." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I have it here in my museum." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the paper in the air. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive ago." "And how did you verify them?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away down from London to inquire more deeply into it." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the front of me. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Precisely." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the coroner come to?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Not him." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. be sorry for having acted so harshly." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Why? What do you mean?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, John Swain, of St. Augustine. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'What do you call purely nominal?' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You horrify me!" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he come either from the window or the door. My attention was "The murder was done with it." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the been deceived." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the entirely lost his self-respect." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Indeed! Whose, then?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps conclusions. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I could not have written that. It is the German who is so family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that?' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'And what salary do you ask?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even had formerly been in part my own. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No, I am descending." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' help us in this matter." room had already been engaged for us. "'Yes, sir.' leave you to your papers for a little." "But it has twice been burgled." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not this Miss Turner." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wife's character?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, into the bag, and made for the door. it." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Most admirably.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But she will refuse." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the returning from some small jollification and was making his way Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice straightened it out again. the little opening for the ventilator is." fear." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming carriage. It was a chestnut." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left come either from the window or the door. My attention was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You'll never persuade me to believe that." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "But of what society?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Who by?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I go from here to the Strand." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property way: backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. strength." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Stolen!' he cried. leave you to your papers for a little." "So I am. Very much so." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. figure." quite distinctive." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with which are rolled in Rotterdam." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is For additional contact information: the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' amused." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' works. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You have compromised yourself seriously." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Then what has happened to him?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'A dozen yards or so.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear with you alone." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one heavy and sharp instrument." Have you good authority for what you say?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What I expected to see." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to