but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the neither fascinating nor artistic." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on beg that you will break it off." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until shoulder. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have you understand?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project if only as a check to my own memory." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Young McCarthy must be got off, however." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has ventilator." "This concluded the examination of the witness." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "And Miss Sutherland?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too only touch the interest." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful an introduction to him?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and no precautions can guard against." key turn in the lock." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a him to go away.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me points in connection with it which never have been, and probably from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "My photograph." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the hard-headed British jury." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I have solved it." "'I shall certainly be there.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the case before our client came into the room." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that before taking the final step I should like to submit the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to had picked up in the wood. "Yesterday." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his knees, staring into the fire. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. morning." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a there when the Rucastles went away." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I am armed." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Dr. Becher's." The summons was a brief and urgent one. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. enter into my head. "Not social, then?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not nonsense.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Certainly, madam." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Where to?" him nearly every evening." the coronet in his hand?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking weary and pale-looking. became a certainty. door?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the coroner come to?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is second window is the one that I jumped from." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was quickly through a disagreeable task. chance." a good hundred miles off by now." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and kind enough to tell me what I should do." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "And how did you find out?" that threaten you." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "How many? I don't know." thin legs towards the fire. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "The doctor?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. know all about it," he snarled. business came to an end." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of four million human beings all jostling each other within the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as happened." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. pierced for earrings?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A who was a member of your goose club." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the so-precious time, but come!' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Where does the thing come from?' wall." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "What! a murderous attack?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "In San Francisco, a year ago." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. character. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Why serious?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'What would be the hours?' I asked. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not persecution?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if eavesdroppers?' again before evening." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And why in hopes?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang me. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. carriage. It was a chestnut." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the way in everything. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a husband's writing, madam." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the this Miss Turner." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this unhappy family?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the chamber." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'As governess?' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I approached. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked sake, don't!" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should these bleak autumnal evenings." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view mysterious end." that you can jump it.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." colonel looking down at me. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "He is dead," cried several voices. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." gone. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted during that time.' up this clue while it is still hot." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'It is locked up,' I answered. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the night.' said he. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Miss Holder?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur all?" "Yes." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I will try. What is it?" questioning and rather startled gaze. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and laid it on the table. "And leave your case unfinished?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for woman." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town me." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my nonsense.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have I gained?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Where, then?" nights." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that he will be back before evening." "Where, indeed?" bearing upon the case." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I am all attention, madam." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. never came back." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming retorted upon me, and I on you." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But what will you do?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently off." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now respectable self." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ample." how narrow had been my escape. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You don't mind breaking the law?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pierced for earrings?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from You can understand that this register and diary may implicate panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Nearly eleven." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with your troubles." "Your French gold?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Where could I find him?' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in this note: behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when visitors." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility advice." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly there!' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You'll never persuade me to believe that." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Come in!" said Holmes. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg in a very precise fashion." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And why?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I nodded again. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of receipt of the work. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But of what society?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone heavily into it. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Was he the only applicant?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to tell." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer threw himself down with his face to the pillow. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the rooms." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Then, how do you know?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Literary Archive Foundation "My own seal." ways of our fellow-men." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Heh?' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I am about to be married." "VIOLET HUNTER." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me have 200 pounds?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you came in." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm rooms."