Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was existence." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his forehead." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the Red-headed League." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the child." vanished into the darkness. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to where he stood hid behind the curtain. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. chill to my heart. she used." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do companion. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the matter." License. You must require such a user to return or If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It is no ordinary one." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Yes, from Horsham." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that eat it." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that laugh and put his lips to my ear. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the loss of it. "Stolen, then." past. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they deduce something from that?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I was mad--insane." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It looks newer than the other things?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Really! You surprise me." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his fortune, and I went back to pa. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of What do you deduce from it?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the whole place is in a blaze." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sparkled upon his finger. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. outside. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the keep the flames under. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "But how did you gain them?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Certainly not.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And when will you call?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one union?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Sholtos." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the side-table." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Absolutely none." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the confronted him. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Always." whatever might befall. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "How many? I don't know." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "No, thank goodness, she did not." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Where does the thing come from?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds drove away. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that I am arrested." "And from a noble client?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "At half-wages, in fact." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." locked. that?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an golden eyeglasses. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Well?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning husband's writing, madam." "None." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Yes, sir.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the here and I will read it to you: "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the page at http://pglaf.org would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'About the same.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It was." sufficient punishment." corner of the building. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'What do you call purely nominal?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round them?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would advice." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I fear not." absorbing." kindly on the shoulder. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down British peeress.'" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a What do you deduce from it?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with frightened eyes at his accuser. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What will you say?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Yes." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No, I am descending." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And your father? Did you tell him?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a province." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I leave." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Where to?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Breckinridge is his name." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "What shall I do?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted him and tried to hold him back. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "To an end?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fattened it expressly for you.' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," you want, then?' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with case before our client came into the room." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Project Gutenberg-tm works. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Serpentine Avenue. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the loss of it. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to promised to bring home. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a presume?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "VIOLET HUNTER." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her to-night's adventure." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the date of his supposed suicide." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was opportunities to fix the problem. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from vault. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. lectures into a series of tales." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." had a long day." companion. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." see a sister of mine apply for." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "How are you getting on?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or already referred to. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "But his left-handedness." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission he. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as be best to do. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Was she in good spirits?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no other means.' The King stared at him in amazement. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Did you become engaged then?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton waste of energy." washing it down with a long draught of water. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Your presence might be invaluable." it means?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Then I shall certainly come."